Beckham County, OK – A weekend traffic stop on Interstate 40 nearly turned dangerous for a Beckham County deputy and ended with a drug related DUI arrest, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning.
Sheriff Manning said the incident occurred as a deputy was clearing a traffic stop on I-40 when a box truck approached without slowing down or moving over for the emergency vehicle parked on the shoulder.
Instead of changing lanes, the box truck crossed the fog line and partially entered the shoulder, coming within an estimated 60 feet of the deputy before swerving back into the roadway.
“At interstate speeds, 60 feet is a fraction of a second,” Manning said. “It came very close to being a bad accident.”
After clearing the initial stop, the deputy followed the box truck and conducted a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the driver, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana, burned marijuana cigarettes, and rolling papers.
Another deputy certified in roadside impairment testing was called to the scene. After administering tests, the driver was determined to be impaired and was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, possession of marijuana, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Manning said the incident highlights the importance of Oklahoma’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to move into the lane farthest from emergency vehicles stopped on the shoulder with lights activated. If drivers cannot safely change lanes, they are required to slow down.
“The law applies not just to law enforcement, but also to ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks, and highway workers,” Manning said.
He added that on undivided roadways without a center barrier, drivers are required to pull to the right and stop when approaching an oncoming emergency vehicle with lights and sirens activated. If a median or barrier separates traffic, that requirement does not apply.
Manning said failure to follow the law puts emergency responders at serious risk.
“It can be scary out there when vehicles are going by at interstate speeds,” he said. “We do enforce this law when we’re able, and we want people to understand how important it is for everyone’s safety.”
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