DOT Worker Removing Tree Killed in Watauga County

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by FOX Charlotte

Story Created: Oct 2, 2012 at 7:43 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 2, 2012 at 7:51 PM EDT

BOONE, NC -- Authorities say a North Carolina Department of Transportation worker trying to remove a tree from a road in Watauga County has been struck and killed by a vehicle.
 
   Officials said 55-year-old David Cook died at the scene of the crash from head injuries around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
 
   The DOT says Cook was with a second worker on the road east of Boone.
 
   State troopers are investigating the crash.
 
   The DOT says Cook was a transportation supervisor and worked for the agency for more than seven years.

   This comes a day after a new version of the state’s Move Over law goes went into effect on Monday. The revised law would requiring motorists to change lanes or slow down to avoid roadside utility and maintenance crews bearing flashing amber lights.

The General Assembly voted in June 2012 to add utility and road maintenance operations displaying amber lights – including some N.C. Department of Transportation work sites – to the list of situations where drivers legally are required to steer clear to help prevent accidents.

The state established move-over requirements for drivers in 2001. The law previously covered emergency responders, law enforcement vehicles, tow trucks, and Incident Management Assistance Patrols operated by the NCDOT.

Drivers are specifically instructed to move over at least one lane when two or more lanes are available in each direction. On roads with only one traffic lane in each direction, drivers must slow down and be prepared to stop. Drivers who fail to follow the Move Over law may be fined $250 plus court costs.

Forty-seven states have enacted similar statutes requiring drivers to slow down and, if possible, change lanes to avoid police cars, emergency responders and other types of official vehicles stopped on the side of the road.

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