Law enforcement is a dangerous profession, especially when it comes to enforcing motor vehicle laws. How is that you ask? Often times a traffic stop is made alongside the roadway with the stopped vehicle in front of the patrol unit that has its emergency lights flashing.
Many an officer has been struck by vehicles passing as they have been performing their duties outside of the patrol vehicle. This has led to laws being passed to prevent this from occurring.
In Nevada, a driver that is approaching a stopped emergency vehicle must:
• Decrease the vehicle speed to a speed that is reasonable and proper and less than the posted speed limit
• Proceed with caution
• Be prepared to stop; and
• If possible, drive in a lane that is not adjacent to the lane in which the emergency vehicle is stopped unless the roadway, traffic, weather or other conditions make doing so unsafe or impossible
This law also applies to tow trucks when lights are activated and they are parked alongside the roadway.
Your courtesy in keeping emergency personnel and tow truck operators safe is greatly appreciated.
Sgt. Scott McDaniel
Carson City Sheriffs Office