By Mr. Vallee of Franklin, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2399) of James E. Vallee relative to the operation of motor vehicles approaching certain emergency vehicles.  Public Safety and Homeland Security.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

James E. Vallee

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to emergency vehicles.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Chapter 89 of the General Laws is hereby awarded by inserting after section 7B the following section:-

Section 7C.  Drivers of motor vehicles traveling on interstate highways or other highways with 2 or more lanes, except as otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, when approaching a law enforcement officer, when approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicles parked on the roadway with their emergency lights activated shall vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Drivers traveling on  2 lane roadways, except as otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, when approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle shall slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater or travel at 5 miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.