The recent winter storms and record snowfall is having a ripple effect on a variety of things, including the Hastings Police Department. According to HPD, early on Wednesday morning, Jan. 11th, a police officer was on Vermillion Street with emergency lights flashing on his cruiser while assisting another officer with a traffic stop. A motorist travelling on the roadway struck the driver’s side rear of the squad car, damaging both vehicles. Thankfully, no one was injured in the accident.

This is the perfect opportunity to remind people that it is the law to move over and slow down for all emergency vehicles that are active or stopped on the roadway. Here is the law from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety: Move Over for Flashing Lights — It’s the Law Emergency responders working on the shoulder of the road have got your back. Do you have theirs?

Minnesota’s Ted Foss Move Over Law was named in honor of the State Patrol trooper who was killed while on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona in 2000. The law states: -When traveling on a road with two or more lanes, drivers must keep over one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated — ambulance, fire, law enforcement, maintenance, construction vehicles and tow trucks.

-Reduce speed if unable to safely move over a lane.

-Failing to take these actions endangers personnel who provide critical and life-saving services. Fines can exceed $100.

Please remember that we all share the road and everyone is responsible for safety.