Emergency Vehicles
2/8/2010 |
Contact: Lt. David Parker
907-786-8724
Police Department
On 2-6-10 at 1542 hours, a vehicle driven Rex Wilhelm of Anchorage struck a police car which was parked on the Glenn Highway near Ft. Richardson. Patrol Officer Jesse Elmore was seated in the patrol car with its emergency lights illuminated while he provided cover for another officer ahead of him on the highway, who was dealing with a vehicle in distress (ditch diver). The weather conditions were very bad and fortunately the injuries suffered by both drivers were minor and did not require medical intervention.
The Anchorage Police Department would like to remind drivers that Alaska State Statutes (AS 28.35.185) require a driver when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its lights illuminated to:
1. Slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed; and
2. When two or more lanes of travel exist, move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle while passing if that can be done safely.
Please give Troopers, Police, Firefighters and other emergency vehicle operators a break so that they can serve the public without undue risk.
AS. 28.35.185. Overtaking and passing certain stationary vehicles.
(a) The driver of a vehicle that approaches a stationary emergency vehicle, fire vehicle, law enforcement vehicle, tow truck in the act of picking up a vehicle, or animal control vehicle being used to perform official duties, when the stationary vehicle is displaying flashing emergency lights on a highway or roadway
(1) with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, unless otherwise directed by law enforcement or emergency personnel, shall
(A) if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions, vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, fire vehicle, law enforcement vehicle, tow truck in the act of picking up a vehicle, or animal control vehicle being used to perform official duties; or
(B) if a lane change under (A) of this paragraph would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed considering the traffic, roadway, and weather conditions;
(2) with fewer than two lanes traveling in the same direction, unless otherwise directed by law enforcement or emergency personnel, shall slow to a reasonable and prudent speed considering the traffic, roadway, and weather conditions.
(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of
(1) a class A misdemeanor if personal injury results from the person's failure to vacate the lane or slow as required by this section;
(2) an infraction, under circumstances other than in (1) of this subsection.