SPRINGFIELD – After the death of Timothy Williams, a tow truck driver who was killed while on the job Friday night, a sergeant for the Missouri State Highway Patrol says Williams’ death would not have happened if the vehicle that hit him would have maintained its lane of traffic proceeded cautiously.
Missouri’s “Move Over” law started in 2002 for emergency vehicles with red and blue light but have been expanded twice since it was introduced, and includes emergency vehicles with amber and white lights, such as tow trucks.
Missouri’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to take the following actions when they encounter a stopped emergency services vehicle:
- Proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way, if possible, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions by moving into a lane that is not adjacent to the stopped emergency vehicle while on a roadway with at least four lanes, at least two of which are in the motorist’s direction of travel.
- If a lane change is not possible, motorists must proceed with due caution and reduce their speed, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety says the “Move Over” Law is in effect to ensure the safety of men and women who work roadside in emergency services, including – law enforcement, fire and rescue workers, ambulance personnel and tow truck operators
Violating Missouri’s “Move Over” law is considered a Class A misdemeanor.
No charges have been announced after the crash so far.
