DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. () — There are a few safety measures drivers should always take when approaching a pulled-over car.
Summer is synonymous with vacation and as families hit the road, law enforcement officers are working in heavy-traffic situations.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) made public a video showing a state trooper barely escaping being hit on the highway during a traffic stop. A car veered off the road and collided with the vehicle the trooper had stopped.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) has this advice for what you need to do when approaching any emergency scene:
- Keep your vehicle under control: Maintain control of your vehicle by avoiding sudden movements like breaking too fast or moving closer to the stopped vehicle.
- Proceed with caution.
- Reduce your speed: A good rule of thumb is to significantly reduce your speed. Check your mirrors before you do to avoid a crash.
- Change lanes: South Carolina’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over one lane when approaching a stopped vehicle.
- Maintain a safe speed: If you are unable to change lanes, maintaining a significantly reduced speed could help you prevent a collision.
