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SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Authorities in Savannah are appealing to motorists to reduce their speed and give ample space to road workers.
This plea follows incidents where two sanitation employees were struck by vehicles while performing their duties in the last three weeks.
As of Thursday, both workers remain unable to return to their jobs as they recover from their injuries.
“I’ve personally been in situations where drivers didn’t move over, putting me at risk of nearly being hit,” shared Joshua Flynn, who serves as the public information officer for the Savannah Police Department (SPD).
Flynn is among the officials emphasizing the importance of driver vigilance and adherence to the Move Over Law.
The law states, when it is safe, drivers must move over one lane when emergency, sanitation or utility vehicles are stopped on the side of the road. If it is not possible to move over, they should slow down.
Jill Nagel, with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), said the streets serve as an office for construction workers fixing the roads.
“If you see any strobes or flashing lights on vehicles from blue, red or yellow, that means something’s going on on that roadway. So you need to slow down for the safety of the people that are trying to assist other people or make the roads better,” said Nagel.
Savannah mayor Van Johnson feels there are too many drivers that do not slow down for these situations on the roads.
“I’m asking you to pay attention because a moment of inattention can have lasting consequences,” Johnson said.
Workers on the roads have their own safety protocols to follow, but GDOT and SPD officials said it’s still important to be aware.
“Make sure that you know where they are so that you don’t cause an accident that would create even more of an issue,” said Flynn.