Politics & Government
Senate Passes Bill Expanding 'Move Over' Law To Garbage Trucks
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Beck, is in memory of Freehold Township resident Michael Massey.
FREEHOLD, NJ — Legislation that would expand the state's "move over" law to protect sanitation workers, in memory of a Freehold Township man who was hit by a car while loading a garbage truck, has been passed by the New Jersey Senate, according to a news release.
Senate bill S-518, called "Michael Massey's Law" in honor of Massey, who was hit by a car in 2013, would require motorists approaching sanitation vehicles to, if possible, reduce speed to less than the posted speed limit, be prepared to stop, and make a lawful lane change to at least one lane away from the sanitation vehicle. Violators would face a maximum $500 fine.
Currently the state's "Move Over" law applies to drivers approaching an authorized emergency service vehicle or tow truck.
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Massey, 39, died May 30, 2013, according to NJ.com reports on the accident. Police said the incident occurred about 6:30 a.m. on Cold Indian Springs Road in Ocean Township, where he was employed in the public works department. A news release from the office of Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth), who sponsored the bill, said Massey was hit while loading the truck.
"Drivers know they have to slow down and move over when approaching an ambulance or police car because the ‘Move Over Law’ has been so effective at raising awareness and saving lives,” Beck said. “Michael Massey’s death is a tragic reminder that emergency responders are not the only public workers at risk of being hit by a car on the job. Those who operate sanitation vehicles should receive the same protections.”
Find out what's happening in Freeholdfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
An identical version of S-518 was unanimously approved by the full Senate during the last legislative session, Beck's office said, but stalled in the Assembly.
“This is a commonsense update to a very effective existing law that has been proven to save lives,” Beck said. “We owe it to Michael Massey’s loved ones and all current public workers to institute these protections as swiftly as possible.”
Sanitation worker, by Kasia, via Flickr, under Creative Commons license
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