News

September 25, 2013
Virginia State Police & Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Partner to Promote "Move Over" Law
Safety and Law’s Importance Reasons for Joint Publicity Effort

RICHMOND, Va. – Nationwide Insurance and the Virginia State Police have joined together to promote Virginia’s Move Over law that protects the Commonwealth’s public safety personnel and all those who drive tow trucks and road maintenance vehicles.

Since 2003, 138 on-duty law enforcement officers have been struck and killed on the nation’s highways. This is the fourth leading cause of death for a law enforcement officer. *

“Nationwide is pleased to support Virginia State Police, the Protect Those Who Protect Youcampaign and stress the importance of Virginia’s Move Over Law,” said Orysia Meyers, Mid-Atlantic regional vice president, Nationwide Insurance. “Our agents and associates across the state will distribute these materials as part of this valuable information campaign.”

Implemented in 2002, Virginia’s law requires drivers to change to another travel lane or, when not able to, cautiously pass emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road. The law also applies to highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights.

Almost every state in the nation has some type of Move Over law on record which is intended to protect those individuals working on the nation’s roads.**

“In law enforcement, we create partnerships every day through enforcement efforts to better serve and protect the public,” says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “In an effort to better protect the men and women who safeguard the Commonwealth, it’s only natural to partner with an organization that can help educate even more individuals about Virginia’s Move Over law. We appreciate partnerships which can further accomplish this goal.”

Nationwide is underwriting the cost of Move Over brochures, bumper decals and other educational and safety awareness items.  Materials will be distributed to the public by Nationwide agents and associates and the Virginia State Police.

For more information regarding the Move Over law, brochures and public service announcements, visit the Virginia State Police Website at http://www.vsp.virginia.gov

About Nationwide
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and specialty health services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

(Nationwide, On Your Side, Join the Nation and the Nationwide frame mark, and are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.)

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*Source: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
**Source: Moveoveramerica.org