Move Over' law: Trooper explains what many drivers miss about Wisconsin Act 115

According to AAA Wisconsin, there were nearly 2,400 crashes involving emergency vehicles in Wisconsin between 2017 and 2021.

While enforcing the speed limit or helping a motorist, Trooper Knowlton says drivers should move over or slow down for emergency vehicles. It's the law here in Wisconsin.

"When people tell you they slowed down to 60-65 when the speed limit is 70, that's not really slowing down. Slow down, give me 4 or 5 seconds to try to make my job as safe as possible," said Trooper Knowlton.

On Monday, many of the drivers gave the trooper space during a traffic stop or when helping a driver, but that's not always the case.

According to AAA Wisconsin, there were nearly 2,400 crashes involving emergency vehicles in Wisconsin between 2017 and 2021. Roughly 735 people were hurt and five have been killed. Trooper Knowlton was also hit while in his vehicle on the side of the road back in 2017.

I had a good idea I was going to get hit, they struck my Explorer going 60 miles per hour," said Trooper Knowlton.

In addition to the "Move Over" law, to make work zones safer for emergency responders and construction crews, in 2021, Wisconsin Act 115, a state law went into effect that bans cell phone use in an emergency response area, doubles fines for certain violations that lead to injury in an emergency response area, and protects workers in construction, maintenance, and utility work areas. Trooper Knowlton says behind every uniform is a person wanting to get home to their family at the end of the day.

o learn more about Wisconsin Act 115, click here