State Police stop 77 cars in one day for failing to abide by 'move over' law

WESTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Mass. State Police stopped 77 cars in Weston Thursday for failing to abide by the "move over" law.

Leominster police explained the traffic stops on Facebook Friday. They say Mass. State Police handed out 46 written warnings and two criminal summonses while working on the Mass. Pike eastbound.

Massachusetts is one of 43 states that enforces the "move over" law, which requires drivers to change lanes and give safe clearance to emergency and maintenance personnel on roadsides. Drivers who cannot safely get into another lane must reduce their speed.

Leominster police cited frightening statistics on their Facebook page, claiming 71-percent of people never heard of the law.

More than 150 law enforcement officials have been killed since 1999 after being hit on the highway, including Mass. State Police Sergeant Doug Weddleton. The Brockton resident was killed while working construction detail on I-95 in 2010.

Failure to abide by the move over law could result in a fine of up to $100.

Cox Media Group