JACKSON – Jackson police pulled over 104 vehicles during a directed enforcement detail along North County Line on June 6 in order to enforce and bring awareness to New Jersey’s Move Over Law.
The Move Over Law requests that “When you see flashing lights on the side of the road, slow down, and if it’s safe, Move Over – away from police, fire crews, paramedics and service trucks,” according to the state’s website. The law is designed to protect emergency and highway workers from passing traffic.
During the detail, officers of the Jackson Police Department positioned by stationary emergency vehicles watched motorists for violations.
Out of the 104 vehicles stopped during the detail, a majority received written warnings. However, some of the more serious violations did result in a summons, according to police. Each driver that was stopped was also given an educational pamphlet on the Move Over Law.
The goal of the detail was to increase awareness of this law to protect officers, and members of Emergency Services and Road Department.
Involved in the detail was: Jackson Police Department, Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, Jackson Fire District #4, the Jackson Township First Aid Squad, the Ocean County Road Department, and the New Jersey State Police.
The Move Over Law is in effect to protect officers from the fate that Trooper Marc Castellano (#6397) met on June 6, 2010. While searching for a suspect along the shoulder of the interstate, Castellano was struck by a vehicle. A graduate of Jackson Memorial High School and only 29 years old, he died a short time later.
Donna Setaro, Trooper Castellano’s mother, has since spoken to over 100,000 people nationwide to raise awareness of the law.
Setaro and Nick Castellano, Marc’s brother, wished the participants well in the detail this year.
