‘This is very alarming to us’: State Police see uptick in cruisers struck, urge drivers to move over

"There aren't many things that keep me up at night," said Colonel James Manni. "That's one of them. Getting a call that a trooper was hit on a highway."
Joseph Richard, Dominique Turner,

NORTH SCITUATE, R.I. (WLNE)- Rhode Island State Police say there has been an uptick in cruisers being struck by vehicles, and they have a plan to combat it. The Move Over law requires drivers to slow down, and move over, when approaching an emergency vehicle with it’s lights on on the road.

Colonel James Manni said he’s hoping to educate drivers on the ‘Move Over’ law, created 13 years ago in order to protect both those stationed in emergency vehicles. 

“There aren’t many things that keep me up at night,” said Colonel Manni. “That’s one of them. Getting a call that a trooper was hit on a highway.”

Col. Manni said the issue crosses state lines, telling ABC6 News it’s a nationwide problem.

“This isn’t just a Rhode Island thing, this is a New England issue. It’s across the United States- more vehicles being hit, more officers assaulted, hurt,” he told ABC6. “But, this is one thing that we feel we can make some positive improvements to reduce the risk to our troopers.”

According to State Police data, in 2020, seven cruisers were struck while they were stationary with their lights on whether alongside state roads or major highways.

In 2021, State Police reported a total of 19 instances where cruisers were hit, 9 of those incidents were related to drivers not following the Move Over law.

Subsequently, the amount of citations for Move Over law violations in 2020 was 298, and in 2021 it was 329. 2022 has just begun, but to date there has been 33 violations.

The agency plans on continuing to work to educate the public on the law, re-train their troopers, and utilize new equipment like reflective chevrons and new lights. Colonel Manni said in years past, the light bars on the top of State Police cruisers have illuminated red lights. State Police plan on adding an additional blue light into the light bar as well.

“We’re changing several of the lights on the light bar in the back and on the front to have blue mixed in with the red,” Col. Manni continued. “If you see any type of flashing lights on the side of the highway whether it’s the right side or the left, take the next lane, leave the lane clear for the emergency responders.”

Drivers in violation of the Move Over Law could be hit with a $95 summons.

Categories: News, Providence, Regional News, Rhode Island

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