Washington drivers who don't move over and slow down as they pass state troopers, ambulances or tow trucks tending to emergencies on the roadside are subject to double the usual fine starting today.

New provisions of the state's "move over" law went into effect at midnight. They define a safety zone of 200 feet before and after an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, and require drivers to either change lanes or slow down when in that zone.

Anyone who fails to move over or is caught speeding in the safety zone is subject to twice the ticket amount -- similar to the fines faced when committing traffic infractions in construction or school zones.

Drivers who endanger emergency workers in those zones can be charged with a gross misdemeanor, and that carries a mandatory 60-day license suspension and possible jail sentence.

Lt. Roger Wilbur of the Washington State Patrol in Kennewick said the stricter penalties for failing to move over or slow down should help troopers and other emergency workers be safer.

"Across the state, we still continue to see emergency personnel or workers alongside the freeway getting hit as the result of people just not paying attention or losing control as they go by," Wilbur said.

He added that moving over is a good idea for any vehicle stopped on the side of the road -- not just emergency workers.

"For anybody stopped on the shoulder of the road, there's a potential something could happen," he said. "Give that person the amount of space they need."