It’s been a long time coming, but finally it’s here.
I saw in the paper and heard on TV something about wreckers being considered emergency vehicles now. Can you shed any light on that?
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— David, Lawton
They have always been considered a form of emergency vehicle, David.
That is why the vehicles have emergency lights on the cab.
But what you’re referring to is the recently added portion of Oklahoma’s "Move Over Law” which requires all motorists approaching a tow truck removing a disabled vehicle to move over, as they must do for other emergency personnel on the job.
A wrecker driver once told me the most dangerous part of his job was dodging traffic as he worked to clear a roadway after an accident.
He said he was most vulnerable when he had his back to traffic as he hooked up a disabled vehicle to his tow truck. Sometimes, he said, even with a police officer or an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper on the scene directing traffic, "Some driver not paying attention comes real close to wiping me out.”
It has happened many times. Unfortunately, some wrecker service drivers are injured — or even killed — when an inattentive driver steers into them.
With the addition to the law, motorists are required to move over when possible, but at the very least, you must slow down and proceed cautiously.
This addition brings Oklahoma’s law more in line with move-over laws in other states. Eventually, safety officials say, this most likely will be law in every state.
It’s all about safety for the people doing dangerous jobs in dangerous locations.
Check Julie Bisbee’s story on NewsOK.com for more details.
By the way ...
Have a great and careful Thanksgiving. Watch your speed and don’t forget to buckle up.
Enjoy your week and drive safely.
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Thanks Chuck for your response, I'm quite thankful for advanced technology! I'm hoping it makes a difference, too. I just feel so bad for those who are affected when many aren't aware of what they are causing to happen. I saw a school bus the other day with a beacon on top that would definitely trigger a seizure in an epileptic if they were already close to a seizure. I also see them in windows of stores all the time to draw attention, half the time the stores are closed for the night.
Either way, hope this didn't sound like a venting session, just wanted to share my views. :) Thanks again for listening, I enjoy reading your views also.
Parthina
PS. I haven't seen anything happen myself either concerning folks moving over, I see them often on their phones while an ambulance is passing and they just keep on driving. But then again I don't follow the emergency vehicles so I'm not sure. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to those who celebrate it. Be careful on the roads :)
Parthina, technology is moving us toward LED flashers which are brighter than standard flashers but not as blinding as strobes. I don't have all the answers on the effect on epileptics but I hope it makes a difference.
As far as people being fined for not moving over, I'm not holding my breath. I haven't heard any numbers but I don't think there have been many people stopped for violating the law for police, fire, and ambulances. Having it in the news is probably the best preventative measure. Careful drivers will be more aware and careless drivers wouldn't have read a notice anyway.
While we're at it, require truck drivers to remove all of the damn chrome from the back of their trucks. There's nothing like being blinded by chrome mudflaps and other large pieces of chrome that are only for show.
Speaking of safety, I wish the trucks would not have strobes on top. Is there another way to alert us of the type of vehicle without strobes? Those can cause dangerous situations with near blinding with drivers to seizures in epileptics or someone prone to them from what other medical problem they may have. The strobes have concerned me since I knew of them, my mom is epileptic and I'm aware of the consequences, unfortunately. I'll keep hoping there'll be a resolution that aids to all needs. Thanks for listening.
I think a better way of letting us know would be to include letters from the bmv to all motor vehicle addresses registered. It could be short notes to save on paper. I just think there's going to be people who are unaware and will be fined anyhow. I don't think all drivers watch the news or have time but I'm glad the tow operators are being looked after. What if the other lane is full and it's dangerous to get over in time? I'm curious as to what the result would be but not enough to find out personally. lol
OKLAHOMA CITY METRO AREA
→Western Avenue is closed between SW 5 and Wheeler Park through late 2009 for bridge work. A signed detour will be located along Walker Avenue. Access to Wheeler Park will be maintained via Walker/SW 11 throughout the project.
→The Exchange Avenue bridge is closed between SW 3 and Pennsylvania Avenue until summer for bridge work. A signed detour will be along Agnew Avenue.
→The westbound Interstate 40 off-ramp to Robinson Avenue is closed until spring for ramp reconstruction. Motorists are encouraged to use the Sheridan Avenue off-ramp from I-235 or the Classen Boulevard off-ramp from I-40 to access the downtown area.
→Drivers should be aware of a traffic shift on north and southbound State Highway 74 (Portland Avenue) at Coffee Creek Road.
→Coffee Creek Road is closed between May Avenue and Council Road through mid-November.
→Sorghum Mill Road remains closed between Meridian Avenue and SH 74 through January. The suggested detour is Waterloo Road (N 248). Flaggers are in place.
→East- and westbound Covell Road is closed between Broadway Avenue and Thomas Drive, and north- and southbound Boulevard Street is closed between Covell Road and Coffee Creek Road until late 2009 for surface work and railroad overpass construction.
→Expect various lane closures on eastbound I-240 at Douglas Boulevard through November for bridge work.
→Expect various lane closures on east- and westbound I-40 at Council Road daily from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. through November for bridge work.
→Shields Boulevard is closed between SW 29 and SW 6 until early 2009 for bridge work. Detour is Robinson.
→Agnew is narrowed to one lane in both directions between the Oklahoma River and I-40 through early 2009.
→May is narrowed to one lane in both directions under I-40 through spring.
→Pennsylvania is closed between Reno Avenue and Exchange Boulevard until late 2009 for bridge work.
→SW 7 is closed between Broadway and Santa Fe until further notice.
→Kelley Avenue is closed between 33rd Street in Edmond and Memorial Road through early spring. Message boards are in place.
→North- and southbound Broadway Extension is narrowed to two lanes each direction between 122nd Street and Memorial Road.
→Memorial is narrowed to one lane in each direction at the Broadway Extension interchange.
→The northbound Broadway Extension off-ramp to westbound Memorial is closed.
→The northbound Broadway Extension on-ramp from Memorial is closed.
TULSA METRO AREA
→The left lane of eastbound U.S. 412 will be closed at Westport Road, extending two miles to the east, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for cable barrier installation.
→The left lane of eastbound U.S. 412/U.S. 64 will be closed between 25th W Avenue and Quanah Avenue from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily for cable barrier installation.
→Southbound and northbound traffic on SH 66 at Mossey Creek (between Claremore and Catoosa) will be narrowed to one lane in each direction through fall while two bridges are replaced.
→All lanes of SH 66/SH 33 are closed at Independence Street in Sapulpa through February as part of a widening project. Signs are in place for detour routes on SH 117 and SH 97.
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