I am writing today to remind readers about safety on our roads and highways. Construction season is starting and my fellow co-workers and I will be out on the roads everyday working to make sure they are safe and in good driving condition. I manage IT support services for highway workers who are out on the roadways every single day.

In Minnesota, it is the law that when traveling on a roadway with two or more lanes, that drivers need to keep a lane away when passing a stopped ambulance, fire truck, law enforcement or road maintenance/construction vehicle. If you are not able to safely move away a lane, please reduce your speed.

Unfortunately, this law was passed in memory of a State Patrol trooper Ted Foss, who was killed in August of 2000 while conducting a routine traffic stop on Interstate 90 in southeastern Minnesota. My brother is a Winona police officer and co-worker of Ted’s wife when the tragedy happened.

I know many of my co-workers have “close call” stories from their days on the job on the side of Minnesota roads. Let’s help prevent the next crash by being attentive and moving over and slowing down when you see flashing lights. It’s the law!

Keith Kearney

Albert Lea