Copyright kdvr
DENVER (KDVR) — New data from AAA shows that a portion of drivers ignore the Slow Down and Move Over law, despite harsher laws here in Colorado. "I can tell you with Colorado State Patrol alone, we’ve had four troopers killed on the side of the road in the last few years," said Sgt. Ivan Alvarado with Colorado State Patrol. Alvarado said that Colorado law requires drivers to move over a lane or slow down at least 20 mph below the speed limit for any vehicle on the side of the road. He said drivers often pay attention to flashing lights but not people dealing with other situations on the roadside. "People are on side changing a tire, dealing with kids, or a car broke down," Alvarado said. "It’s an incident, it’s someone risking their life to be there." He said they have been cracking down on ticketing people who aren't following the law. He said that it is a misdemeanor traffic infraction, four points on your traffic record and a $170 ticket. "It is serious, and that’s because people are dying on the side of the road," Alvarado said. According to AAA, if a driver fails to follow the law and a collision results in serious or death of another person, it can rise to a class 6 felony, a prison sentence of up to 18 months and fines up to $100,000. "We write it as much as we can, not cause we want to but because we need to educate people," Alvarado said. He said the other concern drivers need to keep in mind is, if you need to pull off the road, is it worth the risk? "If people aren’t pulling over for firefighters, cops and tow trucks, they aren’t moving over for you," Alvarado said. AAA said this month alone, across the United States, five service providers have been struck and killed in roadside situations. "In 2024, 46 emergency responders lost their lives while at the roadside, including law enforcement officers, tow truck operators, safety service patrol workers, firefighters and EMS personnel, and a road service technician," AAA shared. "Do us a favor and just slow down 20 miles under," Alvarado said. "I get frustrated when I am in a construction zone, I slow down or move over with cones and lights in a marked patrol car and people try and pass me."
