Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Here in Massachusetts, and I don't have the details, I recall hearing that there is a proposed law to make it mandatory to slow down and give a wide berth to vehicles stopped on the side of the road, with particular reference to police vehicles. Can you believe this has to be made a law? ....
BOSTON (AP) ―
Trooper Cresta was investigating an accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Newton when he was hit by an alleged drunken driver. Some lawmakers are calling for a new law to protect state troopers at traffic stops on highways.
The push for a so-called
"move over" law comes after trooper Dana Cresta was hit early Saturday in the breakdown lane on the Massachusetts Turnpike westbound at Newton.
Police said the 49-year-old Cresta received injuries to his head, face, legs and ribs and was hospitalized at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Police said Cresta was investigating a single-car crash when 23-year-old Patrick Sullivan of Framingham hit him with his Nissan Maxima.
The "move over" bill would require drivers to slow down and give wide berth to emergency vehicles parked on the roads with their lights flashing or face a ticket of at least $100.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Though I applaud this bill to avert tragedies, puppy dogs and cyclists, even those riding to the right of the white line, need not apply.