U.S. House Adopts ‘Move Over’ Resolution

The U.S. House has agreed to H.Res.1463 (House Resolution), Supporting the Goals and Ideals of ‘Move Over’ Laws. Sponsored by Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA-2), the resolution highlights statistics concerning roadside incidents and enumerates the enduring importance and value of first responders and their critical role in saving lives.

‘ Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, tow truck operators, and transportation workers as traffic incident management responders (as such term is defined by the Traffic Incident Management Handbook of the Federal Highway Administration’).

Move over laws require motorists to move at least one lane over when there exists emergency or rescue activity in either a shoulder or a lane. Currently, according to the Department of Transportation’s website, all but seven states have enacted versions of these laws.

Though a resolution and not an actual bill, H.Res.1463 attests to Congress’s recognition of the importance of these life-saving laws and demonstrates important symbolic support for first responders and those who work tirelessly to save lives. 

APWA is proud to be a participating member of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Executive Leadership Group for Traffic Incident Management (TIM ELG), originally convened in 2012 as a result of the First Senior Executive Transportation and Public Safety Summit. November 14-18 has once again been recognized as Crash Responder Safety Week, which APWA President Keith Pugh has highlighted in this video.

For questions related to APWA’s involvement in TIM and related efforts, please contact Andrea Eales, Director of Government & Public Affairs, at aeales@apwa.net or at (202) – 218 – 6730.