Police Officer Seriously Injured in Crash in Macon, Georgia

MACON, GA- Wgxa.com writes that a police officer was injured in a car crash this week. The injured officer is recovering in the hospital following the incident. Few details are currently available regarding the crash.*

When it comes to police officer injuries, the most common cause is vehicle-related accidents. In most years, more officers die in vehicle crashes than are killed by violence or shootings. In Georgia, the law prohibits drivers from passing too closely or too quickly when responders are on the side of the road. The law, which is called the Move Over Law, instructs drivers to move a lane over to provide space to responders when they are on the side of the road with their flashing lights activated. In the event that a driver is unable to move over a lane or if the road is only two lanes, then the driver must slow down to below the speed limit. The reason for this law is that many officers are injured while responding to earlier car crashes. The Move Over Law also applies to tow truck drivers and others working on the roadside. Of course, even if a civilian car is on the side of the road, it is wise to just slow down, move over, and use caution. Drivers who violate the Move Over Law put the lives of first responders at risk. Even if the driver does not cause injuries, he or she may face a $500 citation for not moving over or slowing down. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that car crashes are the number one cause of death for police officers in the line of duty. The CDC also goes on to state that these tragedies are entirely preventable. Studies show that from 2006 through 2019, 43 percent of officers killed on the job died in motor vehicle-related accidents. 

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or a family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:

https://wgxa.tv/news/local/georgia-state-officer-hospitalized-in-macon-following-wreck

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/highway-safety/move-over-law/#:~:text=The%20Georgia%20Move%20Over%20Law,to%20be%20prepared%20to%20stop.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/leo/default.html