For motorists traveling in Iowa an updated law to be aware of is the “Move Over” Law.

Iowa State Patrol District 4 Resource Officer Shelby McCreedy says the law states that motorists must move over lanes or slow down approximately 20 mile per hour to avoid stranded motorists on the shoulder of the road with flashing lights activated.

Motorists that disobey this law can receive a traffic ticket or possibly lose their driver’s license.

McCreedy says that in 2002 the law was originally for just emergency and maintenance vehicles. She adds that the law was modified in 2018 to protect all motorists on the side of the road and that continuing to educate the public is a priority.

“Iowa State Patrol, we do projects several times a year in order to enforce this law and educate the public about it.”

McCreedy says there are signs displayed at every major route statewide with the requirements of the Move Over Law. She stresses the biggest danger to an officer is motorists not yielding to them or changing lanes.