Press Release - State Highway 26 Bypass and the ”Move Over” Law

Below is a press release from Milton Police Lieutenant John Conger about the STH 26 Bypass and the "Move Over" Law.



Since the recent opening of the new STH 26 bypass that is partially in the City of Milton, our officers have been patrolling that area, and enforcing traffic laws, with an emphasis on speed violations. 

Our officers have reported that many motorists are not moving over into the adjacent lane when approaching the traffic stops. 

Wisconsin has a law known as the “Move Over” law. It essentially states that if a motorist can safely vacate the lane closest to the law enforcement vehicle, they must do so. Motorists are required to provide a safety zone for law enforcement vehicles and officers. This law also applies to all other emergency vehicles, and highway maintenance vehicles. 

Motorists that fail to move over contribute to the leading cause of on-duty death in law enforcement, which is traffic crashes. 

In response to these frequent violations and to enhance the safety of our officers, we will be conducting patrol initiatives in that area in the coming weeks. Motorists that fail to move over for emergency vehicles will be stopped and cited for the violation. 

Violations carry a forfeiture of $177.00 and 3 demerit points. 

We would also like to remind motorists that travel that stretch of STH 26 that the speed limit is 55, not 65.