Guest Post  MassDOT, MAPFRE Insurance Reminder: Show Love by Moving Over

Boston — One way to show your love to first responders this Valentine's Day is to slow down and move over. The Move Over Law protects law enforcement officers and other first responders stopped on our nation’s roads. Together, we can all do our part in increasing awareness of these life-saving laws and the need to protect public safety professionals who put themselves at risk every day to protect motorists. You can make a difference and save lives.

The Move Over Law went into effect in Massachusetts in 2009. Traffic Safety Marketing states that one-third of the public is unaware of the Move Over laws.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares some information on the Move Over Law:

• There are Move Over Laws in all 50 states
• Stopping on the side of the road is one of the most dangerous things law enforcement officers do

Do Your Part:

• When you see an emergency vehicle stopped with flashing lights, move over
• If it isn’t safe to move over, slow down to a reasonable speed for the conditions

This Valentine’s Day, spread the love and make a personal pledge always to slow down and move over to make Massachusetts roadways safer for everyone.

MassDOT’s Highway Assistance Program sponsored by MAPFRE Insurance is on patrol to help all motorists, including motorcyclists, on the highways. Patrol operators monitor some of the state’s busiest highways around Metro Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Cape Cod (seasonal). The Highway Assistance Patrol covers 13 major state roadways and interstates, the Emergency Service Patrol covers the Mass Pike (I-90) from New York to Boston and the Incident Response Operators cover the Metropolitan Highway System and tunnels. The Highway Assistance Patrol is in service Monday–Friday between the hours of 6 a.m.–10 a.m. and 3 p.m.–7 p.m. During holidays, there are extended routes in heavy traffic areas. On I-90, and in Boston’s tunnel system, assistance is provided 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Written By

Your friends at MAPFRE Insurance