08-24-2008, 11:12 PM
Cops issue 200 ‘Move Over Law’ tickets during latest sting
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008
Dorene Thomas
PINELLAS PARK – City police issued 200 summonses Aug. 13 during a special operations sting to make motorists aware of the state’s so-called “Move Over Law.”
But some city officials, including at last one councilman who was stopped for violating the law, were not happy. They felt that justice could have been served better by simply issuing warnings instead of $111 tickets that also add three points to a driver’s license.
“The law was passed in 2002 and people are ignoring it,” Police Chief Dorene Thomas said. “About 700 emergency service people last year were injured by careless motorists.”
Just recently city Officer Scott Martin was critically injured when he was struck by a car while directing traffic. He remains on medical leave after suffering extensive injuries.
Thomas said the recent sting against “Move Over Law” violators had nothing to do with Martin’s incident.
Thomas said city police set up a faux traffic stop in the 9000 block of 49th Street involving a marked police car and a civilian vehicle.
Officers stopped drivers who did not slow down or move to the next lane of traffic to give wider berth to the cruiser.
Capt. Michael Haworth, patrol commander, said in a letter to Michael Gustafson, city manager, that the law requires drivers to move over into another lane of traffic or to slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit or to 5 mph when the speed limit is 20 mph or less.
The Florida Highway Patrol, meanwhile, said police, fire and other emergency workers are still being struck and either severely injured or killed by motorists who ignore the law.
Many police agencies have posted billboards and distributed brochures to drivers.
“Compliance with Florida’s Move Over Law is critical for the safety of law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel,” Col. John Czernis, FHP director, said.
Pinellas Park’s Sgt. Tracey Schofield, who heads the special operations unit, said the recent sting was part of a series of enforcement campaigns that target speeders, red light runners, impaired drivers and other violators.
In addition to the 200 “Move Over Law” violations, the team wrote two speeding tickets, 33 for not wearing seatbelts and 17 other tickets. Two arrests also were made.
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved.
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008
Dorene Thomas
PINELLAS PARK – City police issued 200 summonses Aug. 13 during a special operations sting to make motorists aware of the state’s so-called “Move Over Law.”
But some city officials, including at last one councilman who was stopped for violating the law, were not happy. They felt that justice could have been served better by simply issuing warnings instead of $111 tickets that also add three points to a driver’s license.
“The law was passed in 2002 and people are ignoring it,” Police Chief Dorene Thomas said. “About 700 emergency service people last year were injured by careless motorists.”
Just recently city Officer Scott Martin was critically injured when he was struck by a car while directing traffic. He remains on medical leave after suffering extensive injuries.
Thomas said the recent sting against “Move Over Law” violators had nothing to do with Martin’s incident.
Thomas said city police set up a faux traffic stop in the 9000 block of 49th Street involving a marked police car and a civilian vehicle.
Officers stopped drivers who did not slow down or move to the next lane of traffic to give wider berth to the cruiser.
Capt. Michael Haworth, patrol commander, said in a letter to Michael Gustafson, city manager, that the law requires drivers to move over into another lane of traffic or to slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit or to 5 mph when the speed limit is 20 mph or less.
The Florida Highway Patrol, meanwhile, said police, fire and other emergency workers are still being struck and either severely injured or killed by motorists who ignore the law.
Many police agencies have posted billboards and distributed brochures to drivers.
“Compliance with Florida’s Move Over Law is critical for the safety of law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel,” Col. John Czernis, FHP director, said.
Pinellas Park’s Sgt. Tracey Schofield, who heads the special operations unit, said the recent sting was part of a series of enforcement campaigns that target speeders, red light runners, impaired drivers and other violators.
In addition to the 200 “Move Over Law” violations, the team wrote two speeding tickets, 33 for not wearing seatbelts and 17 other tickets. Two arrests also were made.
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved.