Move over for road workers

It was shocking to learn of the hit-and-run deaths of two highway workers near Lawrence, one of those avoidable tragedies that demonstrates what should be the obvious danger of hurtling cars in proximity to road crews. One of the men who died was Rolland Griffith of El Dorado. Charges were filed Wednesday against a Washington state mother and daughter whose car allegedly struck the men.
The incident, like the many near misses that can be seen in Kansas road construction zones, should remind drivers that as of July 1, the “move over” law now extends to highway workers as well as emergency personnel. Failing to change lanes or, if that isn’t possible, slow down for road workers can bring a fine of up to $180 plus court costs. Of course, the workers aren’t the only reasons to slow down: Last year in Kansas, most of the 14 people killed in work zone accidents were motorists.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

9 Comments

  1. political_mom
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 6:48 am | Permalink

    It’s about time that law was turned instead of it being just a courtesy.

    As one who works accidents out on the highway when cars are zooming by at 70 mph, I also wish they’d have put forth a speed limit requirement. 40mph in regular road conditions, and 20 in extreme road conditions. I could tell you a story about a police officer working an accident who had to literally ditch dive for his life.

    and by god, if you drive too fast in snow/frozen road conditions, I don’t care WHAT excuse you have, you should be jailed. Flipping driving 60mph on icy roads is stupid. Your SUV wasn’t designed to handle it better, no matter what you think.

  2. Mary Caruso
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 8:31 am | Permalink

    After reading the account of the accident in this morning’s Eagle, it seems like the driver had a screw loose.

  3. lindainks55
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 9:04 am | Permalink

    I agree Mary. If there had been an authority present sounds like the driver deserved to be stopped the first time through the construction zone, when miraculously no one had YET been hurt.

  4. Ben
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 9:48 am | Permalink

    I agree ‘above’ – sounds almost like she aimed at them.

  5. ken
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 10:03 am | Permalink

    Kansas law on this lacks substance. 180 for not pulling over is chump change — what is it for speeding through a const. zone — 100?

    In Illinois speeding through a work zone starts at 350. Hit a worker it’s a min $10k and 14 yrs in prison ………..

    …. and they use photo radar — ….. may have to put front plates on Ks cars ..

  6. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 10:09 am | Permalink

    “…. and they use photo radar — ….. may have to put front plates on Ks cars”

    OMG!!!!!!

    What would happen to all those poor, orphaned NASCAR plates?

  7. ken
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 10:13 am | Permalink

    Duct tape em to the bumper —–

  8. Door King
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 10:23 am | Permalink

    if the passenger had been a toddler, whould the state charge the toddler as an adult?

    What has the passenger got to do with the incident?

  9. brian
    Posted September 13, 2007 at 10:34 am | Permalink

    “if the passenger had been a toddler, whould the state charge the toddler as an adult?What has the passenger got to do with the incident?Posted by: Door King | September 13, 2007 at 10:23 AM ”

    Very interesting question. Obviously the answer would be no charge to the toddler. It makes me wonder why the distinction.