Close Call Prompts Loudoun Sheriff’s Office to Remind Motorists of Move Over/Slow Down Law

Loudoun County, VA: A Sheriff’s Office cruiser was struck by a passing motorist Tuesday night while a deputy was conducting a traffic stop on Route 28. Fortunately no one was injured in the crash. As a result of the incident the driver of the vehicle that cause the crash, a 16-year-old female from Springfield, VA, was charged with failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

The incident has prompted the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office to take the time to remind motorists of the Move-Over/Slow Down Law. Section § 46.2-921.1 of the Code of Virginia requires drivers to move-over one lane, if possible, whenever an emergency vehicle on the side of the road displays emergency lights. And, if traffic is too congested to move-over safely, the law requires drivers to simply slow down, below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.

Virginia implemented the Move Over/Slow Down law in 2002 (http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-921.1). In Virginia, the law is a Class 1 misdemeanor. By not following the law, you face possible jail time, and a $2500 fine.

Unfortunately, many motorists are unfamiliar with the law and are unaware that each time an officer makes a traffic stop, it’s one of the gravest dangers law enforcement can face on the road today. More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways.

When you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights on, slow down, change lanes and save lives.

The Arcola Pleasant-Valley Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is having it's EMS Week Open House this Sunday May 23 from 1-4pm. Free games, food, and fun for the family. Including Engine Rides, Medstar Helicopter tour and more. For more information contact Station 9 at 703-327-2222.

Parking is available next to the firehouse.

Per the Loudoun County Fire Marshall's office:

A burn ban will be in effect from 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 16 through 8:00 a.m., Saturday, April 17, 2010 for Loudoun County. This ban on outdoor burning is being issued due to the weather forecast that calls for enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires. This burn ban is in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Forestry open burning restrictions that prohibit open burning before 4:00 p.m..

Help Save Lives in Our Community – Remind Your Family, Friends and Neighbors to Adopt a Simple Lifesaving Change.

As the time change approaches on Sunday March 14th, the Arcola Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year.  An average of two children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms.  Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide.  The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries. 

Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries.  In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire.  Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every ten years. 

The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping. Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths.  Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”

Tragically, fire can kill selectively.  Those most at risk include: 

• Children – About 600 children under the age of 20 die each year in home fires.  Children under age 5 are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire.  Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
• Seniors – Adults over age 75 are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire.  Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
• Low-income Households – Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms.  These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment – a main cause of fatal home fires.

USFA has a fire safety campaign called Install. Inspect. Protect. which provides information about home smoke alarms and fire sprinklers. Please visit the campaign Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/

 
For more information about fire safety, call APVVFD at 703-327-2222  or call the International Association of Fire Chiefs at 703-273-0911 or e-mail corporaterelations@iafc.org.