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Massachusetts "Slow Down, Move Over" Law
In one of his last acts in 2008, Gov. Deval Patrick signed what most know commonly as the “Move Over
Law.” Senate No. 2103, An Act Relative to Operating a Motor Vehicle When Approaching Stationary
Emergency Vehicles, signed into law on Dec. 22, 2008, protects public safety officials and service
workers, including tow truck operators and emergency personnel+, while performing their duties on
Massachusetts highways.
“Because there was no emergency preamble,” said Terrell Harris, spokesman for the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, “the law is not effective for 90 days. Until that time, we
are working out all enforcement details.”
Every year, first responders across the country are injured or killed while providing emergency roadside
help. In recent months, several Massachusetts state troopers have been injured while performing duties
on state roadways.
The new Move Over Law requires all drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance
vehicle with flashing lights to move to the next adjacent lane if it is safe to do so, and barring that, to
reduce their speed. Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $100. The law aims to make police,
firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers, and all roadside emergency and maintenance professionals
safer while on the job.
William Johnson, president of the Statewide Towing Association said, “We started in 2004 trying to get
this law passed. We felt is was important to our industry and to others in the emergency services
industry.”
“The impetus was when two tow operators were killed on Route 495,” he said. “That solidified our
resolved to get this passed. This is not a magic bullet. We are looking to bring awareness to motorists.”
Johnson said that although he didn’t have immediate access to the statistics, he believed that in the
past four years four tow operators have been fatally injured while performing their duties on
Massachusetts highways.
Law.” Senate No. 2103, An Act Relative to Operating a Motor Vehicle When Approaching Stationary
Emergency Vehicles, signed into law on Dec. 22, 2008, protects public safety officials and service
workers, including tow truck operators and emergency personnel+, while performing their duties on
Massachusetts highways.
“Because there was no emergency preamble,” said Terrell Harris, spokesman for the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, “the law is not effective for 90 days. Until that time, we
are working out all enforcement details.”
Every year, first responders across the country are injured or killed while providing emergency roadside
help. In recent months, several Massachusetts state troopers have been injured while performing duties
on state roadways.
The new Move Over Law requires all drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance
vehicle with flashing lights to move to the next adjacent lane if it is safe to do so, and barring that, to
reduce their speed. Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $100. The law aims to make police,
firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers, and all roadside emergency and maintenance professionals
safer while on the job.
William Johnson, president of the Statewide Towing Association said, “We started in 2004 trying to get
this law passed. We felt is was important to our industry and to others in the emergency services
industry.”
“The impetus was when two tow operators were killed on Route 495,” he said. “That solidified our
resolved to get this passed. This is not a magic bullet. We are looking to bring awareness to motorists.”
Johnson said that although he didn’t have immediate access to the statistics, he believed that in the
past four years four tow operators have been fatally injured while performing their duties on
Massachusetts highways.
For more information, please visit the links below:
Move Over America!
National Safety Commission
Move Over America!
National Safety Commission