Spirit Ride stops in town to promote ‘slow down – move over’ law


Steve Koob of Koob Automotive (far left) speaks to the audience during a Spirit Ride ceremony June 12 in the parking lot outside the Youth Development Center. Looking on from left are Sheriff Greg Graver, Mayor Brian Wolken, Jake Clark and Aaron Steuri of Koob’s, and Andrew Lindley of Red’s Towing and Automotive Repair. (Photos by Pete Temple)

An American Flag hangs in the background as participants and spectators for the Spirit Ride pose for a photo. In front is the casket that travels across the country as part of the Spirit Ride.

Sheriff Greg Graver speaks during the Spirit Ride event. Looking on are Mike Corbin (left) of Warwick, N.Y., who leads the event; and Steve Koob.
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Associate Editor

     The Spirit Ride, a year-long, coast-to-coast campaign to raise public awareness of the  “slow down – move over” law, stopped in Monticello Tuesday, June 12.

     Emergency vehicles and tow trucks converged on the parking lot at the Citizens State Bank Youth Development Center for the event, which was moderated by Mike and Ilce Corbin, who make up the Spirit Ride Command Team and travel across the country for the cause.

     Hundreds of roadside professionals are casualties each year of roadside incidents, and about 100 of those are fatalities. However, a National Safety Commission poll found that 71 percent of Americans had not heard of the “slow down – move over” law.

     So, the Spirit Ride began in June 2017. By the end of 2018, it will have stopped in 300 cities.

     “It’s about raising awareness, and it’s about slowing down, moving over, saving lives,” Mike Corbin said.

     With tow truck operators and first responders and citizens in attendance, Ilce Corbin spoke about the importance of the law.

     “On the highway, the safety net for first responders is the move over law, when obeyed,” she said. “This law requires motorists approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights to slow down and move over one lane.

     “The Spirit Ride’s mission is to raise public awareness of the ‘move over’ law, as it journeys in honor of fallen first responders. Since the ride began last year, it has generated media coverage across America, getting its message to millions who get behind the wheel.”

     The hour-long event included a series of events and symbols that served as somber reminders of tow truck operators and first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

     The Spirit Casket, which travels to every Spirit Ride stop, was on display. Mike Corbin, a singer/songwriter, brought out his guitar and played a pair of songs he composed. The second of those, which he called the Spirit Ride Anthem, includes the chorus:

     “God bless our sons and daughters,

     Their bravery never dies,

     Booms in the sky.”

     And, a ceremonial baton was passed from person to person. By turning it over, beads inside make a sound, Mike Corbin said, which is similar to “the whoosh of a passing car, that represents a moment in time that cannot be taken back.”

     Pat Lyons of Lyons Service Center in Cascade offered a blessing, both for living first responders and for those who have perished.

     Others spoke as well, including Steve Koob of Koob Automotive in Monticello.

     “It takes a great collective effort to adjust the driving habits of a nation,” Koob said. “We are players in a grand journey. This is a grass roots campaign, never seen before.”

     Monticello Police Chief Britt Smith said: “Spirit Ride plays an important role in promoting highway safety. The decision to respect these workers needs to be made a priority by every driver, as they risk their lives every day.”

     Greg Graver, Jones County Sheriff, also commented.

     “On behalf of all of us in emergency services, when you see any vehicle on the side of the road, please take a little bit of time, and move to the right, or move to the left, and give us a little bit of room to operate,” Graver said. “We’ll all benefit from that.”

     The ride had stopped in Washington, Iowa earlier in the day before traveling in a procession to Monticello.

 

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