A new state law goes in to effect this weekend and it's aimed at protecting people on state roads.

The move over or slow down law means drivers need to give more room to those on the side of Nebraska roads and interstates.

It’s a measure that could save lives.

November 29th, 2008, Omaha Firefighter Tom Bartek is at a crash scene in the interstate.

He suddenly becomes a victim when he is hit by a car that loses control.

"I was knocked unconscious for about a minute and a half from what I was told. I was also told I was thrown fifty feet," he said. "When I was in the back of the squad, I honestly didn't know if I was going to survive and obviously that's when I started to pray...thought about my wife and children and a lot of thoughts go through your head. Luckily everything turned out all right."

Others are not so lucky.

Rescue personnel, law enforcement and road's workers spend a lot of time exposed to two ton killing machines on Nebraska's interstates and highways.

A new state law is aimed at changing that.

Drivers are now required to move over or slow down when encountering vehicles on the side of the road.

State Patrol Lieutenant Brenda Konfrst was hit by a car going 75 miles an hour.

"There are some that don't realize how dangerous it is out on the Interstate,” she said. “When they're going 75-80 miles an hour and we're out there just inches away from them."

State Trooper Eric Aho was also a victim.

He says the new law should help.

"Even if we save one life whether it's a state trooper, another person broken down on the side of the road, fire crew, department of roads person, I say the law's worth it...it's worth one life to me," he said.

Firefighter Bartek hopes drivers realize lives are at stake.

"It's going to be new to them and it's going to plant a seed in their minds that they need to slow down and move over so if that's one or a million drivers that's definitely good for the public and good for public safety," he said.

The bill was sponsored by State Senator Gwen Howard.

It goes into effect Sunday.