By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill expanding the current “Move Over Law” to include public utility and construction vehicles. Current requires drivers to reduce their speed to that of a “reasonable and safe speed for road conditions” when they spot an emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the highway. It currently applies only to fire trucks, police vehicles, ambulances, disaster vehicles and highway maintenance vehicles.

“This bill would expand the law to apply to utility and construction workers who are parked on the side of the road carrying out highway maintenance, so the law would no longer be limited to just law enforcement and first responders,” said Rep. Harold Naughton (D-Clinton), the bill’s sponsor. “Protecting the utility workforce involved in important public safety-related activities is an important part of improving the safety of work zones and the commonwealth as a whole.”

“Utility vehicles are on the streets doing important and hazardous work during times of emergency, and motorists should approach utility workers with caution just as they would a recovery or emergency response vehicle,” said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House chair of the Transportation Committee.