On November 25, 2016, the State of Colorado lost another law enforcement officer, Trooper Cody Donahue, due to a driver who failed to obey Colorado’s “Move Over” law. Immediately following Trooper Donahue’s death, Commander Schmitt of the Greenwood Village Police Department organized an operation, consisting of five law enforcement agencies in the Denver Metro Area, to conduct education and enforcement of the law.
On December 1, 2016, Greenwood Village Police Department, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, Denver Police Department, Lone Tree Police Department and The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint operation to educate drivers and increase enforcement of Colorado’s “Move Over” law. A total of 278 traffic stops were made, that day, of vehicles that were in violation of the law.
“One of the things we took away from this operation was the fact that the “Move Over” law is not well understood, or even known, by many drivers in Colorado”, said Commander Schmitt.
CRS 42-4-705(2) requires all drivers approaching or passing a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is giving a visual sign by means of flashing, rotating, or oscillating red, blue or white lights or a stationary towing carrier vehicle that is giving a visual signal by means of flashing, rotating, or oscillating yellow lights shall exhibit due care and caution by moving over at least one lane if possible. If moving over a lane is not possible, drivers should greatly reduce their speed when passing.
In an effort to raise awareness of Colorado’s “Move Over” law, several agencies have committed to continuing education and enforcement efforts through at least the first quarter of 2017, identifying these efforts as “Operation 1 Charlie 3”, in honor of Trooper Donahue.
Pre-planned dates for this operation have been identified, and all agencies throughout the State of Colorado are encouraged to participate in this operation.
We start the first day of this operation today, January 25, 2017, with participation by the following agencies:
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Greenwood Village Police Department
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
Broomfield Police Department
Lone Tree Police Department
Fremont County Sheriff’s Office
Teller County Sheriff’s Office
Castle Rock Police Department
Basalt Police Department
Wheatridge Police Department
Ft. Lupton Police Department
Colorado State Patrol
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