The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania State Police remind motorists to "steer clear" of police, emergency responders, road crews and tow-truck operators while they carry out their duties.

To draw more attention to the "Steer Clear" law, PennDOT will display a message through Dec. 13 on more than 200 electronic message signs across the state. The message will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. whenever other traffic alerts aren't being displayed.

According to the steer clear law, drivers must move over when flashing lights, flares, or emergency personnel appear on state roadways, according to Barry J. Schoch, PennDot secretary.

In October, a state police trooper was severely injured while removing debris from Route 119 in Westmoreland County. The marked patrol car was positioned to block the right lane of the roadway, effectively moving traffic into the left lane. As the trooper began removing the debris from the roadway an SUV approached the slowed traffic from the rear, was unable to stop in time and hit the trooper.

Pennsylvania's Steer Clear Law requires motorists to move to a lane not immediately adjacent to an emergency response area. Such emergency response areas include locations where police are making traffic stops, where highway or construction workers are involved in emergency assistance or where tow trucks are responding to disabled vehicles.

If drivers cannot move over because of traffic or other conditions, they should slow down to a "reasonable and prudent" speed, according to the law.

The law applies any time an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing and where road crews or emergency personnel have lighted flares or have posted signs or other traffic control devices.

Failure to move over or slow down can result in a summary offense with a fine up to $250. And fines will be doubled for other traffic violations occurring in these areas. If the violation leads to a first responder being injured, a 90-day license suspension could result.

For more information on traffic safety in Pennsylvania, visit www.JustDrivePA.com.