Information from the County Attorney's Office
By Steven J. Franzen, Campbell County Attorney
Occasionally on television or the internet, we see video of a driver crashing into a police cruiser or a car that was pulled off to the side of the road sometimes injuring or killing the police officer or the person who was pulled over. In 2000, the Kentucky Legislature passed a law addressing this problem with the hope of providing more safety to emergency personnel and other citizens along the side of the road.
In Kentucky, a driver is required to take certain precautions upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle that is giving a signal by displaying flashing red, and/or white, and/or blue lights. If the road has at least two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, then the driver is required to move over a lane not adjacent to the lane of the authorized emergency vehicle. If the approaching vehicle is not able to change lanes because of safety or traffic conditions, then that driver is required to reduce the speed of the vehicle for safety purposes while passing the emergency vehicle.
For example, if you see a cruiser with lights flashing pulled off to the side of the road along the four lane section of U.S. 27 or on the AA Highway, then you are required to either safely change lanes into the center lane when you pass the cruiser, or if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe due to traffic conditions, then you are required to slow down while passing the cruiser. If you are traveling on I-471 or I-275, which each have three lanes in each direction at most locations, then, upon approaching the cruiser or other emergency vehicle with lights on, you should move away from the emergency vehicle into the center lane if possible and, if not, slow down to a safe speed while passing the emergency vehicle.
A violation of the above noted provision carries a very serious penalty under Kentucky law of a fine from $60.00 to $500.00 and/or up to thirty (30) days in jail.
Our police officers, fire fighters, life squad members, etc. risk their lives every day to protect us, and are especially vulnerable while working alongside the high speed roads. For their safety and to avoid being charged with a violation of Kentucky law, we should all remember and comply with these safety provisions.
If you have any topics you would like to have covered in this column, please contact my office by e-mail at countyattorney@campbellcountyky.org, by phone at 491-7700 or by regular mail addressed to 319 York Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071.