NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — North Dakota State Troopers are preparing to saturate the Cass County area, in an attempt to reinforce the state’s “Move Over Law.”

According to a press release from the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP), over the previous 10 years, roughly one officer per week loses their life while working roadways nationwide — most commonly by being struck when at traffic stops, investigating crashes, or removing debris from roadways.

The Move Over Law requires motorists to change lanes (if safely possible) when observing or driving near patrol vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and other stationary motor vehicles with activated emergency lights. All roadways of North Dakota — including the interstate systems in metro areas and multi-lane highways in or outside of city limits — are included in the law’s terminology.

State Troopers are planning to saturate the Cass County Law on Friday, April 19. Violation of the rules results in a $50 citation and two points assessed to your driver’s license, but this charge is escalated to a crash that occurs if one fails to yield or change lanes.

In addition to keeping the Move Over Law in mind, it is important that anyone in an area where emergency service vehicles are present keep their wits about them, and practice defensive driving as much as possible. For more information about safe driving habits in North Dakota, visit this page on Vision Zero’s website.

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