County and city police are stepping up efforts to enforce a new law that requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when an emergency vehicle is stopped on the roadside.
The law, in effect since January, mandates that drivers move out of lanes adjacent to emergency vehicles displaying warning lights. In the absence of a second lane or if changing lanes is not safe, drivers are required to slow down, said Sgt. Derel Schulz, supervisor of the Eugene Police Department traffic unit.
On Wednesday, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and EPD hosted an “education effort” along Highway 99. Police stopped 67 motorists who failed to keep a safe distance from emergency vehicles and warned them of the law, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sgt. Steve Weir of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office traffic safety team said although he has never been injured while making traffic stops, he has nearly been hit numerous times. From 2001 to 2003, 21 crashes, two fatalities and 11 injuries resulted from incidents where police officers were stopped on or beside roads, he said.
“There aren’t many officers who haven’t had a close call,” Weir said. “The intent of this education piece is to get people to comply so no one gets hurt again.”
The traffic violation carries a $237 base fine with a maximum penalty of $360, according to EPD.

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