Delaware Considering Expanding "Move Over" Law to Include Utility Workers
Even more to move over for - Delaware lawmakers are looking at expanding the state's "Move Over" Law. Delaware has had a "Move Over" law since 2007. It requires drivers to move a lane over - if possible - when there are emergency personnel, tow trucks or transportation workers on the side of road. A bill under consideration in Dover would add utility workers to the state's "Move Over" law list.
Jim Maier is showing us how he sets up his truck along the side of road near Seaford. Maier has been a lineman for Delaware Electric Co-op for a decade. "It can be very dangerous just setting up before you even do the job," he said. Maier is supportive of the bill. So is his employer. "I think it would be a great idea," said Maier. "We're on the roadways a lot. If people would get over, it would be a lot safer for us to do our job."
But lots of people don't even know the current "Move Over" law exists. Maier didn't. "I would get over out of courtesy, but I didn't know the actual law," he said. "Basically until you told me about the law on the books." The bill's sponsor state Rep. Bobby Outten, R-Harrington, says that just means the effort to educate drivers needs to continue, not that the law shouldn't be expanded, because utility workers deserve to be safe. "They're out there on the road probably more than emergency vehicles," Rep. Outten said.
Related Links
Links provided with these articles were active and accurate as of the posting of the article to ResponderSafety.com. However, web sites change and the organization hosting the page at the link may have moved or removed it since this article was posted. Therefore, some links may no longer be active.