Colorado State Patrol Joins Towing Carriers to Remind Drivers to Move Over and Save a Life

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COLORADO – The Colorado State Patrol joined with towing industry partners to discuss the importance of the move over law.  A press conference was held at Western Towing and Recovery, 6655 York Street, Denver. 

“Just move over,” said Colonel Matthew Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “The lives of those in the towing community rely upon you to slow down and move over.  Drivers must keep their eyes up, pay attention and move over to keep everyone safe and alive on our roadways.”

Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-705 states that drivers must move over to the next lane, if possible, when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, tow vehicle, maintenance vehicle, or public utility vehicle with their lights activated.  If the driver cannot move over safely, then they must slow down and drive with caution as they approach and pass the vehicle. 

Slow down is defined as:

Speed Limit: 40 MPH or less                  Slow to 25 MPH or less

Speed Limit: 45 MPH or above               Slow by:20 MPH or more  *ex-speed limit = 65 MPH, Slow to 45 MPH

 

Ryan Davids, CDOT Safety Patrol, said, “Each year in Colorado, ten to twenty Safety Patrol vehicles are struck.  Too often we don’t think amber lights mean the same as red and blue, but they still represent our fellow human beings working on the roadways.”

Drivers are oftentimes more compliant with the law concerning police, fire, and EMS but forget about tow and maintenance workers with amber lights.  Colorado State Troopers practice strict enforcement of the move over law because far too many lives have been lost from this problem. 

“Nationally, seventeen first responders have already been struck and killed in the line of duty in 2021,” said Heather Schlegel of Dedicated Towing and Recovery.  “It is up to us to follow the law and save the lives of those working on the roadways.”

 

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ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs.  In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the Governor and other dignitaries’ protection, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more.