Starting tomorrow: move over or pay up

Starting tomorrow, drivers who fail to slow down or move over when passing the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle on the side of the road will be charged a hefty $248 fine.

According to the Washington State Patrol, officers experienced 80 collisions involving passing vehicles striking trooper vehicles parked alongside the highway between 2006-2009. The major cause was drivers speeding or driving too fast for conditions, followed by DUI.

Last session, legislators approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Marko Liias to better protect emergency responders by establishing "emergency zones," the 200 feet of roadway in front of and behind a stationary emergency vehicle.

To learn more about the new law, check out this short video from WSP.