North Shore Lawmakers Push 'Move Over' Law Expansion To Include Utility, Disables Vehicles

SALEM, MA — A proposed expansion of the state's "Move Over" law — which requires drivers to slow down and change lanes, if practicable to do so, when approaching emergency vehicles and highway maintenance trucks — to include utility crews and stopped vehicles with flashing hazard lights passed the state senate with the backing of North Shore legislators Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn).

Crighton steered the legislation as chair of the Joint Transportation Committee.

"This essential legislation is a critical upgrade to our Move Over law, expanding its life-saving protections to everyone who must work or wait on the side of a busy highway," he said. "By including disabled vehicles and utility workers and implementing stronger penalties, we are making
everyone on our roads safer."

Under the expansion, motorists would be required to slow down if they are approaching a stationary utility truck or a stopped vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder of a road or the breakdown lane of a highway. Drivers on a highway with multiple lanes in each direction would also be required, if practicable, to change lanes to ensure greater safety for vehicles and individuals in the breakdown lane.

"From drivers waiting for roadside assistance to construction and maintenance personnel, this legislation is a commonsense expansion of the Commonwealth’s existing Move Over law that will reduce incidents and save lives," Lovely said.

The bill also includes an increased fine schedule and a mandatory driver education program for repeat offenders. An existing $100 fine would increase to $250 for the second offense and $500 for third and subsequent violations.

The 2023 death of a utility worker and police officer in Waltham while being struck on the side of the road was one of the incidents that spurred the push for the law's expansion.

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)