ST. CLAIRSVILLE — With an increase in traffic during the summer, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging motorists to move into another lane when a stationary vehicle with lights flashing is located on the roadway.

Lt. Maurice Waddell, commander of the OSHP St. Clairsville Post, said motorists should move over whenever a stationary vehicle, emergency vehicle, roadside service or highway maintenance vehicle is on the side of the road with its lights flashing or rotating. Not only does moving over protect everyone on the roads, it is also the law.

“Moving over helps protect the lives of everyone who works on or uses our roadways,” he said. “It ensures the safety of those who are driving by the scene, disabled motorists and emergency responders.”

According to the Move Over law, drivers are required to move to an adjacent lane when approaching any vehicle with flashing or rotating lights parked on the roadside. Waddell said if moving to another lane is not possible, motorists should slow their speed and use caution when moving ahead.

“There are times when you can’t get over, whether it’s because of traffic or the weather, but just slow down and be aware of your surroundings,” he added.

Although troopers keep an eye out for “move over” violations throughout the year, there is an emphasis during the summer months due to a rise in traffic on the roads. As a part of the 6-State-Trooper Project that gets underway at the end of this month, troopers will be focusing on the violation, Waddell said.

“We still have vehicles that are getting hit on the berm or troopers getting struck while they’re on traffic stops,” he said.

Between 2016 and 2020 OSHP cruisers were involved in 56 crashes related to vehicles failing to “move over,” according to the patrol.

During that same time period, more than 25,100 citations were issued to motorists for violating the law.

Waddell said luckily, there have not been any crashes pertaining to drivers failing to move over this year in the district.

Waddell said “move over” signage was installed along the roadways shortly after the law went into effect in 1999 to promote motorists’ awareness.