Supporting enhanced penalties under the state “Move Over Law”

As a former Deputy Chief of Police I am a fervent supporter of our first responder community, especially when it comes to their safety on the job.

In October, I was joined by the State Police Association of Massachusetts and other law enforcement officials to rally in support of a bill I am sponsoring to increase the penalty for those who fail to slow down and move over when there is a stopped emergency vehicle in the roadway. Motorists who don’t comply with the state’s existing Move Over Law, which took effect in 2009, currently face a $100 fine. That’s not enough to deter bad drivers.

The bill I am sponsoring (together with my colleague State Representative Jessica Giannino of Revere) would increase the fine to $250 for the first offense and a criminal misdemeanor for an injury to a first responder.

I remain very hopeful this bill will be passed into law this session.