An Act To Require Motorists To Move to a Nonadjacent Lane or Slow Down for Certain Stationary Vehicles
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§9, as amended by PL 2007, c. 348, §20, is further amended to read:
9. Stationary vehicles. The operator of a vehicle passing a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using an emergency light or a stationary public utility emergency service vehicle, refuse, garbage or trash business vehicle or wrecker using its authorized lights, with due regard to the safety and traffic conditions, shall:
A. Pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle , public utility emergency service vehicle, refuse, garbage or trash business vehicle or wrecker, if possible; or
B. If passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible or unsafe, pass the authorized emergency vehicle , public utility emergency service vehicle, refuse, garbage or trash business vehicle or wrecker at a careful and prudent speed reasonable for passing the authorized emergency vehicle or wrecker safely.
A violation of this subsection is a traffic infraction for which a minimum fine of $250 must be adjudged.
SUMMARY
This bill adds public utility emergency service vehicles and refuse, garbage and trash business vehicles to the list of stationary vehicles for which a motorist must move to a nonadjacent lane or, if moving to a nonadjacent lane is impossible or unsafe, slow down.