The Washington State Patrol will begin issuing tickets to motorists who fail to slow down or move over when passing stationary emergency vehicles on the side of the highway.

For the first 90 days since the Emergency Zone Law went into effect on January 1, the main focus for the Patrol was to educate motorists about the new law.

Troopers will not be conducting “sting” or emergency zone emphases. Troopers will ticket motorists on case-by-case basis or as incidents occur.

The state’s enhanced Emergency Zone law was built on an earlier “move over” law and creates 200-foot zone around stationary emergency vehicles that have their lights activated. The emergency vehicles include police cars, fire and emergency medical service vehicles, tow trucks and state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) vehicles. Under the law, the fine will double if the motorist is speeding or fails to move over when passing through the emergency zone.