Framingham Police Enforce 'Move-Over' Law in Sting

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Framingham police ticketed 80 motorists in two hours Tuesday as part of their operation targeting motorists who violate the "move over law." The "move over law" instructs drivers on multiple lane roadways to move to furthest lane when possible when they see an emergency vehicle or maintenance vehicle in operation.

This enforcement was originally scheduled to be done in February, but was postponed due to inclement weather.

Recently a tow operator, Kevin St. Pierre, was struck and killed when a vehicle failed to move over to the furthest lane, a release said. "Everyday Framingham Police officers and tow operators work hand and hand to ensure that disabled motorists are safely removed from the roads. The Framingham Police wanted to raise awareness that this law not only applies to emergency vehicles, but also to maintenance vehicles," police said in a release.

Smitty's Towing donated a tow truck which was set up as a decoy on Route 9 westbound, with an unmarked police cruiser in front of it, police said. A maintenance work zone was simulated with Framingham Police officers set up further up the road, police said.

Motorists that did not "move over" for the simulated work zone, were stopped and issued a citation for the offense, police said. The Officers also had educational flyers explaining the law, that were handed out to some motorists, police said. There were 80 citations issued to motorists who violated this law in just over two hours, police said. Many motorists told the officers that they either weren't aware of the law, or they had no idea the law applied to maintenance vehicles as well, police said.