Massachusetts Move Over Laws

Move over laws in Massachusetts require drivers to slow down, give one lane of space, and take caution around stationary vehicles with flashing lights.
Written by Pat Roache
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Under
Massachusetts
law, drivers face $100 in fines if they don’t slow down and move over when approaching a stationary emergency, highway maintenance, or recovery vehicle that’s using flashing lights.
Move over laws are individual state laws that aim to lower the risk of injury and death to emergency responders present at an accident. Massachusetts became the 44th state to pass such laws in 2009, so it’s good practice to follow the safety measures outlined in these laws wherever you are driving.
With individual states writing and passing their own move over laws, you should take time to learn your state’s specific requirements. In this article,
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app
Jerry
will cover all the information you need to know about Massachusetts move over laws.
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What are the move over laws in Massachusetts?

Move over laws in Massachusetts require drivers to reduce speed, change lanes, and take caution when approaching stopped emergency, highway maintenance, or roadside vehicles with flashing lights. The Commonwealth specifically gives these vehicles the following definitions:
  • Emergency vehicle: a fire apparatus, police vehicle, ambulance, or disaster vehicle
  • Highway maintenance vehicle: a government or independently contracted vehicle that is used for the maintenance of highways and roadways
  • Recovery vehicle: a vehicle that is specifically designed to assist or tow a disabled vehicle.
When you are approaching any of these vehicles with flashing lights, the law states that you must do the following:
  • Proceed with due caution
  • Reduce speed to a reasonable and safe speed for
    road conditions
  • Change to a lane not adjacent to the vehicle on highways with at least four lanes where at least two lanes are moving in the same direction
Key Takeaway: Slow down, be cautious, and try to provide a lane of space for stopped vehicles with flashing lights in Massachusetts.

Penalties for violating Massachusetts move over laws

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts charges $100 in fines at most for failure to comply with the state’s move over laws. Additionally, you will have two points added to your
Massachusetts driving record
if you violate the rules.
If failure to follow these laws results in injury or death, the driver could face imprisonment, legal fees, and
license suspension
or revocation. Always slow down and change lanes if possible when approaching stationary vehicles with their lights flashing.
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Can violating move over laws raise your insurance?

Failure to follow move over laws in the state of Massachusetts is considered a moving violation, which will likely make your
insurance rates go up
Most insurance companies use a
point system
separate from the state, so any rate change depends on your policy, your history, and the type of violation. If you’re concerned about how a driving record could affect your insurance costs,
Jerry
can help you find the answers and the best quotes on the market.
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Why are there move over laws?

Move over laws are designed to help protect emergency responders and highway maintenance workers from
reckless driving
. They started showing up in state legislation in the late 90s after a paramedic in South Carolina was injured by a passing vehicle. The injured paramedic, James D. Garcia, was held responsible for the accident at hand.
Garcia led the fight to adjust laws across the country to protect emergency responders and other roadside workers. Garcia succeeded in this work in 2012 when Hawaii became the 50th and final state to enact move over legislation.
If you’re ever in doubt when you see a car on the side of the road, slow down and move over just in case. 

How to find cheap insurance after a traffic conviction

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