Linn County deputies and Oregon state troopers are beefing up patrols Friday morning on Highway 34 from Lebanon to Corvallis, looking to nab people for speeding and other traffic violations.
The increased patrols follow dozens of traffic accidents along the highway this month.
Drivers can expect to see more troopers and deputies along the road between 7 and 9:30 a.m.
Oregon State Police Sgt. Craig Flierl said there have been some 13 crashes on the highway since Nov. 1. One happened this week during the Wednesday morning commute.
"Our goal is to help promote safe driving along this stretch of highway because of the unusual number of crashes that seem to be related to aggressive driving, speeding, and following too close," said Flierl.
Officers will also be paying close attention to drivers who don't move over or slow down when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle. Officers will also hand out ODOT brochures about Oregon's "Move Over" law that has been in effect for five years.
Seven years ago on Interstate 5 north of Albany, a state trooper and off-duty Albany police officer were killed, and another trooper was seriously injured when they were struck while standing on the side of the freeway helping a family in a disabled vehicle.
The "Move Over" law states that if you are driving up behind or next to any type of emergency vehicle n police car, ambulance or public safety vehicle n working on the roadside with emergency lights flashing, you must:
• Move over to another lane.
• If you cannot safely change lanes, you must slow down.
• In all cases, the driver must try to provide as much room as possible for the emergency vehicle.
Failure to comply with the "Move Over" law can result in a fine up to $355.
Posted in Local on Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:00 am Updated: 9:59 pm.
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