3/28/08-A bill has died that was designed to protect emergency personnel during roadside stops.
Sponsored by Delegate Frank Conaway Jr., D-Baltimore, HB131 failed to meet a deadline to advance, effectively killing it for the year.
The measure would have required drivers to maintain a safe distance and reduce speed before passing emergency vehicles parked by the road with their lights flashing.
Dubbed the “Move Over Act,” Conaway’s bill would have required drivers to merge into a lane farther away from emergency vehicles, if practical. On two-lane highways, drivers would have been required to slow to a speed “that is sufficient to ensure the safety” of emergency personnel, including police.
Failure to obey the rule would have resulted in $75 fines.
Two identical bills – HB255 and SB454 – also died.

2/14/08-A bill in the House Environmental Matters Committee is designed to protect emergency personnel during roadside stops.
Sponsored by Delegate Frank Conaway Jr., D-Baltimore, HB131 would require drivers to maintain a safe distance and reduce speed before passing emergency vehicles parked by the road with their lights flashing.
Dubbed the “Move Over Act,” the bill would require drivers to merge into a lane further away from emergency vehicles, if practical. On two-lane highways, drivers would be required to slow to a speed “that is sufficient to ensure the safety” of emergency personnel, including police.
Failure to obey the rule would result in $75 fines.
For bill status, call (410) 946-5400.
Two identical bills – HB255 and SB454 – are in committee.