BLAINE, Minn. – (May 26, 2016) – A close call makes a compelling story. Long time tow truck drivers Tucker Dally and Mike Lamphier have spent enough time in the business to have had the fear of death when on the job. Dally, the truck service manager for Blaine Brothers, was in a tough spot hooking up a truck on the side of the highway. He was stuck between the roadway and the side of the truck with a car approaching quickly at a high rate of speed. The driver was able to make a last second adjustment and miss Dally. Lamphier ran into trouble when on the side of the road his elbow got clipped by a passing car. Lamphier, a wrecker driver, had no major injuries and said the Carhart he was wearing probably saved his life.
These stories illustrate the dangers of emergency vehicle operators on the side of the road. Blaine Brothers towing has drivers put their lives at risk on the job and highlights the importance of the Move Over Law not just for police but for all vehicles on the side of the road. “Their is something about a blue light. Everybody associates the blue light with a squad and everyone knows state patrol, sheriff, city cop, they can get in trouble if they graze them with the mirror. The tow truck they don’t look at it the same way. The law is written any emergency vehicle. I think the law should be written any vehicle. It it’s you driving to work and your tire blows, now you have to change your tire with people skimming your backside. Give them the room, their is no reason not to move over and most of the time you can see it. I watch it all the time, people skate by vehicles with their four-ways on the shoulder. It does not matter who it is, they have a right to go home,” said Dally.
The move over law was passed in Minnesota in 2001. It requires motorists traveling on a road with two or more lanes to move one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles that have flashing lights activated. Drivers must reduce speeds if unable to safely move lanes. Giving vehicles room makes everything flow smoother.
“A lot of people I believe they feel inconvenienced, there’s been times where we pull on scene and we’re trying to get to the scene so we are creeping up the shoulder and people are blocking you. The trucks lit, you can see the thing coming from a mile away. Give them the room and give them the time. We are trying to fix what’s creating your problem so give us the space to do our job, we’ll free it up and you guys can keep moving. Ultimately that’s our goal, just move over,” said Dally.
Between 1999-2009 more than one emergency worker per month was killed aiding a motorist on U.S. highways. Even with laws implemented, everyday Dally sees people who don’t move over and are distracted. “Put your phone down, text messaging was developed for a reason, so you could answer them later. You want to talk to someone now, make the phone call. It’s keeping your eyes on the road, looking past the hood ornament. When you see the lights move over now, not when you are coming up on scene,” said Dally.
Simple actions can stop accidents and save lives. “Slow down, move over, get out of the way,” said Lamphier. Both drivers said it’s a scary business. Remember when you see flashing lights peoples lives are at stake. “All these guys have kids and families. They got to go home at the end of the day,” said Dally.
