Representative David A. Scribner applauded his legislative colleagues for passing an enhancement to the “Move Over” Law– a measure that will increase highway safety and save lives.
Rep. Scribner co-sponsored HB 5094, which aims to better protect the operators of emergency vehicles as well as commuters. It requires that motorists move over one lane if travelling in the lane adjacent to a stationary emergency vehicle, applicable to highway with two or more lanes proceeding in the same direction.
“While last year’s ‘Move Over’ law was a step in the right direction, this bill goes further to enhance public safety and will help prevent future accidents, such as the tragic case of the Naugatuck DOT worker who was fatally hit by a tractor-trailer last month. This bill truly improves the safety of construction and transportation workers and motorists, at no cost to commuters.” Rep. Scribner said.
Rep. Scribner added, “I commend my legislative colleagues for passing this important bill and now urge the Senate to do the same.”
The current “Move Over” law in place applies only to highways with three or more lanes, while this bill augments the precedent to apply to two lane highways as well.
The House passage of this bill comes one month after a DOT worker was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer truck while picking up debris on the shoulder of Route 8 in Naugatuck.
Before coming to the House, the bill was vetted in the Public Safety and Transportation Committees, where it was voted forward unanimously. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
Rep. Scribner is the Ranking Member and longest serving leader of the legislature’s Transportation Committee as well as the Transportation Bonding Committee.
