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Proposal to expand ‘Move Over Law’ passes Mass. Senate, moves to House

The changes are meant to improve roadside safety for motorists and utility workers.

October 18, 2025

1 minute to read

The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously approved a bill to broaden the state’s Move Over law, expanding protections for roadside workers and motorists, lawmakers announced.

The measure would require drivers to slow down and ideally switch lanes when passing utility trucks and disabled vehicles with flashing lights stopped on the shoulder, according to a Senate press release.

Currently, the Move Over Law only requires drivers to use caution when passing an emergency vehicle with flashing lights. Motorists must slow down and, if the road has two or more lanes going in the same direction, move over one lane away from the emergency vehicle. Violators face a $100 fine for failing to adhere to the law.

The new proposal also increases fines for first-time violations and imposes harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Drivers who repeatedly break the law may be ordered to enroll in a driver education program, state officials said.

Lawmakers hope the changes will improve roadside safety and reduce the likelihood of collisions with stopped vehicles.

“Anyone who’s popped a tire on the side of the road kind of knows that feeling of cars flying by you know your car is shaking really an unsafe position to be in on a busy roadway,” state Sen. Brendan Crighton told WBZ. “Hopefully this can change behavior, keep both our drivers safe but also our law enforcement and first responders and our utility workers as well.”

The bill will head to the Senate committee for consideration before moving to the House.