Those working alongside Virginia’s highways this summer are hoping two new campaigns will help remind motorists to think “move over” when they see blue, red and yellow flashing lights alongside the road.
New billboards and a public service announcement (PSA) targeted in the Hampton Roads and Metro-Richmond regions, respectively, coincide with Governor Terry McAuliffe’s 2014 designation of June as Virginia’s “Move Over Awareness Month.” Nationwide the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) reports 134 law enforcement personnel, between 2005 and 2014, were struck and killed by a vehicle while on-duty.
As of June 5, the NLEOMF reports 14 law enforcement officers have been killed in traffic-related incidents this year.
Monday morning (June 6, 2016), Virginia State Police Superintendent, Col. W. Steven Flaherty, joined the City of Hampton Fire and Rescue, City of Hampton Police, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), AAA Tidewater and GB Towing and Auto Repair to unveil the new “Move Over” billboard campaign. During the entire month of June, the ads will rotate among Adams Outdoor Advertising billboards along I-64, I-264, I-664 and U.S. Route 58 and reach more than half-a-million motorists living, working, visiting and traveling through the Hampton Roads region.
Beginning June 3, 2016, through the end of the month, members of Hanover County Fire and EMS, Henrico County Police, New Kent County Sheriff’s Office, New Kent County Fire and EMS, VDOT, Virginia State Police and AAA Mid-Atlantic will be sharing the silver screen in theatres across the Metro-Richmond region to also increase awareness of Virginia’s “Move Over” law.
The 30-second special public service announcement (PSA) is running in the pre-show before each feature presentation in the following theaters: The Bow Tie Movieland at Boulevard Square (Richmond), Carmike Ovation (Midlothian), Regal Short Pump Stadium 14 (Henrico), Regal Southpark Mall 16 (Colonial Heights), and Regal Virginia Center Stadium 20 (Glen Allen).
“The safety of Virginia’s emergency responders, safety services patrollers, highway maintenance crews and wrecker drivers depends on the actions of every motorist traveling on our highways,” said Colonel Flaherty. “All we ask is for drivers to avoid distractions, be alert and move over as you pass us and our flashing lights on the side of the road.”
Virginia’s Move Over law, established in 2002, requires drivers to either move over a lane or, when unable to, to cautiously pass all emergency personnel with blue and red flashing lights – law enforcement, firefighters, and rescue – stopped on the side of a road. In 2010, the state law was expanded to include tow truck drivers and highway workers who display yellow or amber flashing lights on their vehicles.
Funding for the Move Over billboard and movie theatre PSA campaigns is provided through a grant administered by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Highway Safety Office and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Chris Graham
