Governor Bob McDonnell
today ceremonially signed SB 762, also known as “Ashley’s Law,” which requires
emergency vehicles proceeding through a traffic intersection to flash emergency
lights and either sound a siren or horn, or yield the right-of-way, before
proceeding. This law is named in honor of Ashley McIntosh who was
tragically killed in 2008 when her vehicle was struck by an emergency vehicle
as it went through an intersection. The legislation was signed during an
afternoon ceremony at Sherwood Regional Library in Alexandria.
Speaking about “Ashley’s Law,” Governor
McDonnell remarked, “It is a sobering moment
as I sign this legislation today that results from a tragic traffic accident
that took the life of a young Fairfax
woman with a bright future. We are constantly evaluating how we can
improve public safety to protect our citizens, law enforcement and first
responders. It is because of the care, concern and activism of Ashley’s
family and friends that this change in the law has become a reality, and for
that I commend the great work of everyone who advocated for the passage of this
bill. Virginia’s streets
are safer because of ‘Ashley’s Law.’”
Senator Toddy Puller (D-Fairfax
County), who patroned the
legislation, commented, “I am very pleased to have carried ‘Ashley’s
Law.’ It took several years to get this passed and I am glad we were
finally able to get overwhelming consensus on the bill. I hope that it
will go far to save other lives in the future.”
Fairfax County Police Department Chief of
Police Colonel David M. Rohrer, added,“The Fairfax County Police Department
supported ‘Ashley's Law’ because it puts the safety of the public and emergency
responders first, as it should be. I'm pleased to say that our policies
and the training our officers receive in emergency and response driving mirror
this new law.”
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