Now Law: Downey & Houghtaling Bill to Promote "Move Over" Law

Legislation Assembly Democrats Nancy Pinkin, Nicholas Chiaravalloti, Joann Downey and Eric Houghtaling sponsored to help protect law enforcement officers, highway workers and others whose work requires them to exit a vehicle on New Jersey's high-speed roadways was signed into law on Monday.

The new law (A-2439) was inspired by the tragic loss of State Trooper Sean Cullen nearly two years ago.

The law requires the commissioner of the Department of Transportation to work to increase observance of the New Jersey Move Over Law via public awareness programs and electronic message road signs. The 2009 law requires motorists to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching authorized vehicles displaying emergency lights. Failure to slow down or move over is punishable by a fine of $100 to $500.

"New Jersey's first responders, construction workers, sanitation workers and others who regularly have to go in and out of a vehicle on the road are exposed to a lot of danger during the course of the average workday," said Downey (D-Monmouth). "Increasing awareness of the 'Move Over' law can help reduce the risk of them being hurt."

"Every driver on the road has a role to play in ensuring the safety of those who are working to serve our state," said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). "Better understanding of the 'Move Over' law can save lives."