(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department, Friday (Today), said “In observation of National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 15th-19th)” they want to remind motorists about the “Move Over Law,” in Iowa.  Lt. Jill Knotek says the law found in the Code of Iowa, states “A driver shall change lanes when approaching a stationary vehicle with hazard or other lights flashing on the side of the roadway. If this is not possible, then the driver shall reduce the speed of their vehicle as they pass.” (the Iowa DOT’s full synopsis of the code can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yx2jd84u.)

In 2022, there were 8921 people killed and over 37,000 injured within work zones nationally.

On April 17, 2024, Council Bluffs Police Department partnered with Carter Lake Police Department, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and Arrow Towing, to focus on “Move Over violations,” and speeding on I-80 and I-29. The project took place from 8-a.m. until Noon. Authorities say during this four-hour period, there were a total of 151 citations and warnings issued, with 62 of those issued for failing to move over, and 39 for speeding.

The highest recorded speed was by the driver traveling nearly 30-miles per hour above the posted speed limit (91-mph in a 65-mph zone). Despite the project, officers are still observing high speeds on the I-80 Express lanes. Therefore, Police say they “Will continue to work with speed enforcement to bring those numbers down to a reasonable speed. We urge drivers to remember to Move Over when they see a vehicle on the shoulder.”