Maine State Police plan to enforce the 'Move Over' law more in 2019 after a trooper was injured on December 21 while sitting in his cruiser.
17-year veteran John Davis was pulled off on the side of the Maine Turnpike in Gray, responding to two cars that slid off the road, when he was struck by a tractor-trailer truck.
Davis suffered serious injuries, and was released from the hospital three days later.
"This particular time, Trooper Davis was seatbelted in his cruiser, which probably saved his life," said Lt. Erik Baker, a state police trooper with Troop G, which patrols the Maine Turnpike from the Maine/New Hampshire line to mile 109 in Augusta.
He said state police will perform concerted patrols to enforce the 'Move Over' law in 2019.
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"They're putting their lives on the line and you just never know when something may happen," said Lt. Baker.
The 'Move Over' law requires drivers to slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit, and if possible, move over at least one lane from scenes where an emergency vehicle or public service vehicle with blinking lights is working. Failing to do so can result in a $326 fine.
"Part of why I think it's ignored is people don't understand or haven't worked in that environment so they feel they're far enough over. Speed and distance is really what the factors become. The faster you're going and the closer you are, the more apt to something happening, and the less reaction time we have to get out of the way," said Lt. Baker. "We need to protect our people because we want to see people go home at the end of their shift."
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety is planning a social media campaign in mid-January to address the law as well.