September 3, 2002
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755
The law expands and updates the existing legislation (Sections 56-5-1538 and 56-5-2360) to outline how a motorist is to interact with emergency vehicles with lights and siren activated and how to safely pass an accident scene or a traffic stop without endangering the officer or other emergency personnel.
“Emergency and law enforcement personnel risk their lives every day trying to help others,” said Gov. Jim Hodges, who signed the law on July 19. “As we approach September 11, when people will be honoring those who keep us safe, there is nothing better the public can do than heed the provisions of this law and protect our law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel.”
The new law requires a driver approaching an emergency scene to proceed with caution by slowing to a safe speed and, if possible, moving into a lane away from the emergency vehicles and or emergency scene. An emergency vehicle can include a police car, ambulance, tow truck and fire truck. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of endangering emergency services personnel and may be fined not less that $300 or more than $500. House Bill 3049 also requires a driver on a multi-lane roadway to move to the safest location to allow the emergency vehicle to pass (please see attachment for complete list of amendments to the law).
“Every day in our state emergency workers are placed in danger while working the scene of an accident or traffic stop,” said Highway Patrol Commander Col. Mike Kelley. “We are asking the public to take this law seriously so that we can prevent some of these secondary crashes caused by rubbernecking and failure to slow down around emergency scenes.”
Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Rao is a recent example of the kind of tragedy this legislation is meant to prevent. Rao was struck and killed by a motorist while helping another stranded motorist on I-95 in Clarendon County. Rao’s sister, Kris Haimbach, attended a news conference today along with Cpl. Shawn Stankus, who was also struck by a drunk driver while issuing a citation on the interstate in 1996.
“It’s not uncommon to see motorists either panic when approached by an emergency vehicle and completely block the vehicle’s path or to intentionally not yield to emergency vehicles,” said Columbia Fire Chief John Jansen. “Either situation could hinder emergency workers from reaching the scene and could result in injury or death.”
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