Starting Friday, state troopers will be issuing $190 tickets to drivers who fail to slow down — and move over one lane, if possible — when they see the flashing lights of fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, tow trucks and vehicles operated by state Department of Transportation employees stopped up ahead on the side of the highway.
At the start of this year, a law took effect that created a 200-foot emergency zone behind and ahead of official vehicles whose drivers are dealing with car crashes, medical problems, felony arrests and other emergencies.
The emergency zone includes the lane nearest the one where emergency officials are parked.
A WSP video on YouTube says it’s easy to avoid a ticket: “Ease off the gas and ease over if it’s safe.”
For example, the video shows, if the emergency vehicles are all stopped on the right shoulder, drivers are required to at least slow down and, if possible, move out of the far-right lane — to create a safety zone for the firefighters, police, paramedics, tow truck drivers and other first responders.