There is cause for celebration in North Carolina, especially at my house!  I received an e-mail this morning from Lieutenant Clendenin of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol that there will be additional efforts to promote the MOVE OVER LAW!  Secretary Beatty of NC Crime Control & Public Safety and Colonel Clay of NC State Highway Patrol have approved funding (federal grant money) for additional efforts to promote the MOVE OVER LAW.

The following are things that will be included are:
Billboards (hopefully up by end of September)

Production of a TV Commercial

Bumper Stickers

Key Chains

Posters for the back of tractor trailers

Production of Move Over poster with Jeff Gordon or other NASCAR driver

As the wife of a NC State Trooper, I cannot tell you how proud I am that my husband’s agency is so dedicated to his protection.  For the ten remaining states in the U.S. without a move over law, this should be a wake up call.  Do something before lives are lost.  California has lost two CHP’s in just a matter of weeks and they still won’t pass a move over law.  The governor’s excuse…too much traffic.

In NC, we had to face losing two fine state troopers before the realization that there was a problem was addressed.  If you live in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, Rhode Island or Washington DC please don’t wait until more lives are lost before you do something about it.  Remember, too…It does not take just passing a law, it takes educating people about the law as well!

If you head ANY organization (federal, state or local) with men and women who work on our roadsides, let NCCCPS and the NCSHP’s efforts serve as a guideline for you.  Whether you decide to spend $500 or $100,000, do something to protect your men and women.  They deserve it as do their families.

Once again, thank you Secretary Beatty, Colonel Clay and Lieutenant Clendenin and their agencies for trying to keep North Carolina safe.

At 7:52pm yesterday, Deputy Michael Callin was removed from life support.  The Orange County, Florida deputy was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Interstate 4 on Tuesday.  Florida officials said Callin, a deputy since 2002, was looking for speeders on the long on-ramp leading to I-4 from Kirkman Road near Universal about 3 p.m. when he spotted the speeding white Honda Civic and stepped toward the road to try to get the car to stop. The driver struck Callin and kept going.

Orange County Sheriff Beary said as many as 300 deputies were in the hospital when Michael died.

“They’re all iron jawed, but you can see some tears flowing,” Beary said. “We have to put this uniform on the next day. We got a job to do and I ask ‘em to look over each other’s back.”

For those of you who wear the uniform, how easily could it be your family that we are all praying for now?  Whose responsibility is it to keep you and the thousands of men and women who “protect and serve” safe?  Everyone’s.  This is a big job and one person cannot do it alone.  State agencies across the U.S. are spending thousands of dollars to promote the ”move over law.”  Could more be done by more state and local agencies?  Absolutely.  However, it is not their job alone.  If you put on a uniform each morning or night and whether you are stepping into your patrol car or tow truck, you need to take on the responsibility as well.  You owe it to your families.

Some of you might say, “I am the one out there doing the work.  Someone else should be working to protect me.”  Yes, you are right, but we cannot do it alone.  We all need to start educating our own communities.  Take the initiative with your department to begin your own campaign.  I’ll supply the catch phrase…PROJECT MOVE OVER.  Make your sole objective to EDUCATE MOTORISTS.  Hand out a flyer with any ticket you write.  Each time you assist a motorist, hand them a sheet of paper that says…MOVE OVER & SLOW DOWN FOR STOPPED EMERGENCY and PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES…LIVES DEPEND ON IT.  It does not have to be anything fancy.  Do you have kids?  Ask your kids to write it, then photo copy it and hand it out.  Saving lives can be as simple as that.  What is not so simple?  Saying ”good-bye.”

In North Carolina, the MOVE OVER LAW has paid off!  :

- In January 2006, Trooper C.R. Jones in Buncombe County stopped a vehicle for failing to move over for another stopped trooper.  During his conversation with the driver he became suspicious and asked and received permission to search the vehicle.  Trooper R.L. Herndon and his K9 were brought in and searched the vehicle and found nine kilos concealed in the roof of the van.  A post-arrest investigation by the DEA resulted in a controlled delivery of narcotics, the arrest of two more individuals and the seizure of over $90,000 in drug-related currency.

- In February 2006, Trooper D.M. Cole in Johnston County stopped a vehicle for failing to move over for another stopped trooper.  The lone male could not produce ID and had blood on his hands and clothing.  The man was arrested for a murder in Florida.  He was also wanted in Connecticut for first degree armed robbery.

Our webmaster is working on a re-design of our website which we hope to release this fall.  In addition, many of you have asked about T-Shirts.  We are still working on the design and I hope to have them by the first of next month.  I apologize for the delay on both.

Later this month, I will be doing a workshop in Greensboro at the NC Firemen’s Conference on how to educate your community about the “move over law.”  For those attending, I hope to see you there.  Please come and introduce yourselves!

DEADLINE is two days away for the Trooper Cogdill Golf Tournament that will be held at the Junaluska Golf Course in Waynesville, NC.  If you want to play or sponsor a hole, PLEASE CONTACT STAN COGDILL IMMEDIATELY at 828-246-2668!!!!

The Calvin Taylor Memorial Toy Ride is coming up on September 9th. Go to http://www.calvinetaylortoyride.com/ for details!!!

As always, pay attention when you drive.  Tell your friends, families and everyone else you know to MOVE OVER AND SLOW DOWN FOR STOPPED EMERGENCY AND PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES!

LIVES DEPEND ON IT!!!!