Just over one year ago, Tennessee Trooper Todd Larkins was run over by a tractor-trailer during a traffic stop.  Mitchell Wayne Bowers pled guilty to vehicular homicide last week, but was not sentenced to prison.  His three-year sentence was suspended to time served.  By the way, Bowers also had to cough up $50 for… failure to Move Over, and his license was suspended for one year.

Had the case gone to trial, David Raybin, Bowers’ defense attorney, said he would have argued that his client suffered from sleep apnea.  Sound familiar?  In 2003, attorney for Bradford Layton of SC, who ran over and killed NC Trooper Anthony Codgill, argued his client suffered from sleep apnea.  Bradford Layton spent about a month in jail and paid $25 plus court costs.

I have many friends that drive tractor-trailers for a living.  Mitchell Wayne Bowers and Bradford Layton are a slap to the integrity of the men and women who care about the job they do.  Mitchell Wayne Bowers and Bradford Layton are who the families of law enforcement and emergencypersonnel fear. How many more will die before the Bowers’ and Laytons’ are stopped?

Earlier this week, Alicia Larkins, Todd’s wife, appeared on Inside Edition to tell about the tragedy her family has endured.  She is now working to protect the lives of men and women in Tennessee and to make the penalties and fines for violation of the Move Over Law stiffer.  You can read the story here.

On September 6, an Arizona tow truck driver stepped out of his truck to assist and motorist.  The driver fled without care or concern for 36-year-old Joey Rubio who died at the scene.  Joey Rubio left behind a wife and eight children ranging in ages from 2-14.  Rubio’s truck had its yellow emergency lights and his rear deck loading lights on.

Tragedies like these occur every day.  Organizations like Responder Safety and FORS seem to be the constant recipients and bearers of sad news.  My updates to you come monthly with only a tiny percentage of the tragedies being passed along.  What if I forwarded each and every tragic story to you?  Not just once a day, but sometimes several times each day.  I don’t continue what I am doing for the personal recognition.  I do it because I am scared not to.  The pats on the back and notes of congratulations for media recognition are nice, but it is not why I am spending a Sunday afternoon at the desk in my kitchen while my children play near me.  I do it because my husband checks on tomorrow morning at 7am.  I do it because October 3rd marks the fifth anniversary of Calvin Taylor’s death.  I do it because I am scared not to.

Are you a law enforcement officer and hear the excuse from motorists that they have never heard of the Move Over Law?  Has their excuse been that their state must not have a Move Over Law?  That argument is losing steam.  Effective January 1, 2007…42 STATES WILL HAVE A MOVE OVER LAW ON THEIR BOOKS!!!!!!  California and Delaware are the latest additions.  Who is left?  Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey and Rhode Island.  I recently wrote letters to the governor’s of these states asking why they have not adopted a law that could protect thousands of men and women.  The only ones I heard back from were Rhode Island and Louisiana.  It makes you wonder how many more mothers and fathers, sons and daughters will have to lose their lives before others’ could be saved.

Several weeks ago I received an e-mail from a North Carolina State Trooper.  The trooper signed the e-mail “In Anthony’s memory.”  This is what he wrote…

I just wanted to pass along some information about an incident that happened to me last night.  I had a motorist stopped on US 17 ( 4 lane highway with plenty of sight line).  I had just finished my business and was returning to my car.  I noticed a full size pick-up coming at me in the lane closest to my car.  I flashed the falshlight at the driver to try to get his attention, but he never acknowledged me.  I had to run to get into my car and was able to get in and close the door about 2-3 seconds before the truck came by riding the fog line about 3 feet from my car.  It was so close my car physically shook.  I stopped the guy and discovered he was severely impaired.  He blew .19 and .18 on the Intoxilyzer.  Thanks for all you guys do to keep us safe.  Without the move over law I would not have had a violation (only suspected impairment) to stop this menace. 

I want to extend my gratitude to Curtis Doi and Jay Talley from Blue Ridge Community College in Hendersonville, North Carolina for inviting me to participate in their Move Over Symposium.  Curtis, a paramedic, and several of his co-workers were seriously injured several years ago when they became the victims as they were treating others from an earlier accident.  For several of Curtis’ co-workers, the symposium was the first time they publicly shared their story.  They did a wonderful job.  The attendees of the symposium also had the chance to hear Tim Hayes speak.  Tim, a Mecklenburg County medic, lost his legs when he was hit by a tractor-trailer as he responded to a minor accident.

Thank you to the Masons of Western North Carolina for allowing FORS to be a part of the Calvin Taylor Taylor Toy Ride.  It is always an emotional experience to watch hundreds of motorcyclists roaring down Maggie Valley in Calvin’s name.  Calvin’s family is always their to cheer them on!

I have had the pleasure of corresponding with the folks from Five Star Commitment.  They are a great group who work with students to teach their communities about highway safety.  Kudos for your efforts, Five Star!!

A new device has been developed to protect emergency personnel.  Carl Fors and Speed Management Labs (SML) of Ft. Worth, Texas has been testing the EVA (Emergency Vehicle Alert). EVA is an in-car alert system warning drivers of approaching emergency vehicles. “It uses an existing warning delivery system called optical pre-emption. The increasing number of Move Over Laws dictate drivers to move over of slow down when an emergency vehicle is close by. Unfortunately with cell phones, loud car stereos, and adjusting makeup in the rear view mirror, most sirens and flashing lights are not noticed. Over 8,210 police, 3,100 fire personnel, and 4,600 ambulances were involved in crashes in 1998 according to NHTSA.”  Please visit their site for more information.

On November 2, I will be a keynote speaker at the Western Carolina Safety School in Asheville, North Carolina. The NC Department of Labor Secretary will be the other keynote speaker.   I will have an information table set up with the other exhibitors, so please stop and say “hello.”

T-Shirt sales have been wonderful.  We even had to order more.  Sizes range from Small to XXX-Large.  Shirts are $12 up to Extra-Large and $14 for XX and XXX-Large.  Bumper stickers are available as well for $2.  Please contact me if you are interested.

DONATIONS!!!!  Yep, we need them.  We thank those of you who have continuously supported our efforts.  If you have been wanting to do so, but have forgotten, you still have time to make your tax deductible donation for 2006!  Donations can be made out to FORS and sent to the address below.

As always, please remember to Move Over and Slow Down for Stopped Emergency and Public Service Vehicles.  Our lives depend on it.