Liberty officers in near-miss as driver passes traffic stop: ‘Move Over’
Liberty police reminded drivers to slow down and move over after a driver nearly struck two officers and another person during a recent traffic stop.
In a dashcam video posted to Facebook, officers can be seen leaning back as the passing car came dangerously close.
“Move Over. Slow Down. Lives Depend On It,” Liberty police said in the post.
The officers conducting a traffic stop with emergency lights flashing and the passing vehicle failed to move over, police said.
“Traffic stops and roadside incidents are some of the most dangerous situations first responders face,” the agency said in the post. “A moment of distraction, impatience, or failure to pay attention can change lives forever.”
The department reminded drivers that when they see emergency lights, they should:
• Move over to the next lane when it is safe to do so.
• Slow down significantly if they cannot move over.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions behind the wheel.
Missouri’s “Move Over” Law was enacted in 2002 to protect emergency responders, applying to emergency vehicles with red and blue lights. It has been expanded twice since then and now includes vehicles with flashing amber or white lights.
“These laws are not just for police officers,” the Liberty Police Department said. “They are meant to protect everyone on the roadside — officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, tow operators, highway workers and stranded motorists.”
Violating the law is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
