Scary Crash Video Shows Deputy's, DOT Worker's Very Close Call

A south Georgia sheriff’s deputy and a state DOT worker had a close call back on Jan. 24, and a video shows the importance of slowing down and using caution when approaching work zones.

Roger Minshew was helping to set up a temporary detour due to traffic crash with fatalities on I-75 in Dooly County. The traffic was being diverted onto a nearby exit, and Minshew, along with several sheriffs’ cars, were spaced out channeling everyone off of the exit.

Minshew was parked next to the last patrol car at the exit ramp, when a tractor trailer changed lanes to go around the traffic and hit the patrol car and barely missed him and the deputy. Fortunately, neither were injured.

Earlier this month, a Marietta police car was struck by a driver who failed to move one lane over while police and fire personnel were working an accident.

The crash happened around 2 am on I-75. The officer was not in his vehicle when the accident happened, and no other injuries were reported.

Here is Georgia’s law requiring motorists to move over one lane when approaching police or fire vehicles:

Move-Over-Law: Georgia Code, Title 40-6-16.

A. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
B. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary towing or recovery vehicle or a stationary highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the towing, recovery, or highway maintenance vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
C . Violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.