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S 2547

An Act relative to the Move Over Law

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brendan Crighton

S 2547 expands Massachusetts's Move Over Law to increase protections for emergency responders and roadside workers by broadening vehicle coverage and movement requirements.

Amendment (as recommended by the committee on Senate Ways and Means) adopted, as amended
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Bill Summary · S 2547

Legislative bill overview

S 2547 amends Massachusetts's "Move Over Law" to expand protections for emergency responders and roadside workers. The bill modifies existing requirements for drivers to move away from or slow down when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, likely broadening the definition of covered vehicles or situations under the law.

Why is this important

Emergency responder safety is a critical public safety issue, as roadside workers and first responders face significant risk from passing traffic. Clarifying and expanding Move Over protections can reduce injuries and fatalities among these workers while also potentially reducing secondary accidents caused by distracted drivers near emergency scenes.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of covered vehicles: Determining which additional vehicle types (tow trucks, utility vehicles, highway maintenance equipment) should trigger Move Over requirements and whether the expansion is too broad or too narrow
  • Driver compliance and enforcement: Questions about how effectively police can enforce expanded requirements and whether penalties are sufficient to change driver behavior
  • Clarity of standards: The substituted draft (S2642) suggests significant revisions were needed; ambiguity in what constitutes a "stationary" vehicle or what distance drivers must maintain could create enforcement challenges

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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