Town of Norwood

Norwood Fire Department and the Executive office of Public Safety warn drivers to “Move Over”.

            In an effort to keep Massachusetts roadways safer, the Norwood Fire Department and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security are raising awareness for the state’s new Move Over Law and promoting safe driving across the Commonwealth.

The new law, which took effect on March 22, 2009 is meant to help protect police, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers and all roadside emergency and maintenance workers. The law requires all drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights to move to the next adjacent lane if it is safe to do so, and, barring that, to reduce their speed. Violating the Move Over Law can be expensive as well as dangerous as failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $100.

“We ask that all drivers in Norwood and across Massachusetts take a moment to slow down and move over – if it is safe to do so – if they see an officer, emergency responder or maintenance vehicle stopped on the side of the road,” said Norwood Fire Department Spokesman George Morrice. “Together we can make the roadways of Massachusetts safer and less stressful for everyone involved.”

Every year, first responders across the country are injured or killed while providing emergency roadside help. In the past six months alone, several Massachusetts State Troopers have been injured on the job. According to the Merit Rating Board, in 2008 there were nearly 2000 violations of the Chapter 89 Law which deals with obstructing emergency vehicles including failure to yield and following too closely.

For more information, go to www.mass.gov/safety/moveover.