Six-State Trooper Project Targets Move Over/Slow Down Law Violations

Sellersburg, IN – The Indiana State Police will be joining forces this week with Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia State Police agencies, for what is known as the Six-State Trooper Project. During this collective effort, troopers across Indiana will be taking to the highways July 18th-24th with a primary focus on targeting drivers violating Indiana's Move Over / Slow Down law.  

During this period, motorists can expect to see an increased presence of our troopers on the roadsides conducting traffic stops. Drivers are encouraged to not drive distracted, to be increasingly aware of the need to move over or slow down as required by state law, and to give your troopers room to work safely.

In 1999, Indiana was the first state in the nation to pass such a law requiring motorists to move to an adjacent traffic lane or reduce speed by 10 mph below the posted speed limit if unable to change lanes safely, when driving by a stationary police, fire or ambulance emergency vehicle stopped along the side of the road. 

Over the years since, Indiana's law has expanded to include stationary recovery, utility service, solid waste haulers, road and street highway maintenance vehicles, as well as stationary survey or construction vehicles when displaying alternately flashing amber lights.

Lieutenant Chris Keeton, State Police Sellersburg District Commander, along with district supervisors will lead several special patrols on Sellersburg district roadways over the next week. These patrols will target aggressive and reckless drivers as well as drivers who fail to slow down or move over for stationary emergency vehicles. The goal of these patrols is to educate motorists, generate voluntary compliance of Indiana traffic laws and protect emergency responders who work alongside Indiana roadways.

Motorists that observe reckless driving behavior, suspected impaired driving, or suspected criminal activity are always encouraged to call 911 to report such activity, or call directly to the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post at 812-248-4374, when safe to do so.