In the wake of the heartbreaking loss of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, who tragically lost his life during a routine traffic stop on Thursday along Interstate 84, state police and emergency responders are fervently calling upon drivers to adhere to Connecticut’s move-over law, which has been in effect since 2009.
“We’re all out there risking our lives,” emphasized State Police Sgt. Luke Davis during a briefing on Tuesday, underlining the inherent dangers faced by law enforcement and emergency personnel in their line of duty.
The move-over law mandates that drivers slow down when approaching stationary vehicles and, on multilane roads, move to the far lane whenever possible. Despite ongoing efforts to enforce this regulation, last year saw 670 tickets issued to violators, with an additional 275 citations already issued this year by state police.
Highlighting the alarming frequency of accidents involving roadside crews, the Department of Transportation reported that 141 of its vehicles were struck while engaged in roadside work in 2023, with 54 such incidents recorded thus far this year. To bolster awareness, the DOT has utilized highway signs to remind motorists of their obligation to comply with the move-over law.
For troopers, whose patrol vehicles serve as their office and the roadway as their workspace, the risks are ever-present, as Sgt. Davis poignantly articulated.
Senator Herron Gaston, co-chairman of the legislature’s Public Safety and Security Committee, expressed his intention to propose stricter penalties in response to Pelletier’s tragic death, emphasizing the far-reaching impact such incidents have on families.
“One tragic incident like this sent a ripple effect,” stated Gaston, acknowledging the irrevocable loss suffered by Pelletier’s loved ones. “It has ripped open this family and they can never get their loved one back.”
Presently, violators of the move-over law face a $100 fine, a penalty that escalates to a maximum of $10,000 in the event of injury or death caused to others. In addition to these fines, drivers may also be subject to further legal repercussions, as demonstrated by the case of Alex Oyola Sanchez, who faces charges including second-degree manslaughter for striking Pelletier and fleeing the scene, according to state police.
Echoing Gaston’s sentiment, Representative Craig Fishbein stressed the urgent need for heightened penalties, linking non-compliance with the move-over law to an alarming rise in reckless driving.
“Our roadways, especially our highways, have become extremely dangerous,” warned Fishbein, underscoring the imperative of prioritizing safety measures to protect both emergency responders and motorists alike.