Utah: Saint George PD launches campaign over officer safety
A recent string of traffic accidents involving patrol officers or their vehicles being struck by passing motorists is making a recent awareness campaign launched by the St. George Police Department seem especially prescient.
The St. George City Council gave its approval on Thursday to a new campaign that urges drivers to use caution when approaching emergency vehicles, embracing a campaign that organizers say has already started making its way to other departments throughout the state.
The “Move Over” campaign, which includes the creation of a promotional video that states, “You want to go home after work ... We do too,” reminds drivers to slow as they approach flashing lights and to move over into the next lane if possible.
It’s common sense, officers say, and it’s also the law. State code requires that as motorists approach any stationary vehicles they slow down, provide as much space as possible and move into the next lane if it’s available. Violators can face a citation and a fine, and be required to attend a four-hour course on defensive driving.
“Everyone is in a hurry. Everyone is focused on being where it is they need to be. But nobody is thinking about what happens if they get in an accident,” SGPD Officer Lona Trombley said, urging drivers to consider the consequences of hurting someone else just to save a few seconds of driving time.
“Take that extra time to keep yourself, your family and everybody’s family safe,” she said.
Since the campaign was launched, a string of incidents have either injured or endangered public safety officials up and down the state.
On Friday, Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Ellsworth was left in critical condition after he was struck by a vehicle while stopped to assist with a downed power line in the northern Utah city of Garland.
Ellsworth was working to alert the driver of a truck about the downed power line when another vehicle struck him.
Then on Saturday, another trooper’s vehicle was struck by an intoxicated driver onInterstate 15 in St. George.
The trooper was investigating another crash when the driver of a gray Ford Focus drove through the emergency flares and flashing emergency lights that were blocking a closed lane.
The driver was later arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
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