A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 527
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-03: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8487; text: CR S8486)
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-14T19:56:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 527) expresses support for the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day, aimed at raising awareness about "move over laws" that protect emergency responders and others working on roadways. These laws require drivers to safely change lanes or slow down when passing emergency vehicles or scenes to prevent injuries and deaths.
Key Provisions
- Recognition of responders: Acknowledges traffic incident management responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, tow truck operators, and transportation workers, who face risks from passing vehicles.
- Highlighting dangers: Notes that in 2024, 46 such responders were killed in roadside collisions due to speeding, impaired, distracted, or unaware drivers.
- Existing efforts: References annual Crash Responder Safety Week in November, hosted by federal transportation agencies, to promote slowing down, moving over, and staying alert near crash scenes.
- Move over laws overview: Affirms that all U.S. states have these laws, which generally require drivers to shift to another lane (if safe) or slow down when passing emergency activities on the roadside.
- Senate actions:
- Supports designating a National Move Over Law Day.
- Urges national, state, and regional incident management organizations to educate the public on these laws, promote compliance, and highlight risks of non-adherence.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
None. This is a non-binding resolution that does not amend or create new laws. It builds on existing state move over laws and federal awareness campaigns without introducing legal changes.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Encourages safer driving habits, potentially reducing accidents and fatalities for both responders and stranded motorists by increasing public knowledge and compliance.
- On government agencies: Supports ongoing federal efforts (e.g., by the Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) through heightened visibility, which could lead to more effective safety campaigns without additional funding or mandates.
- On international relations: No direct impact, as the resolution focuses solely on domestic U.S. road safety.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Traffic incident management responders: Primary beneficiaries, including law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services, tow truck operators, and transportation workers, who gain from increased driver awareness.
- Motoring public: Drivers and the general public, who are urged to follow move over laws to enhance overall road safety.
- Incident management organizations: National, state, and regional groups responsible for promoting and educating on these laws.
- Federal and state transportation agencies: Involved in awareness initiatives like Crash Responder Safety Week.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it has no force of law and is symbolic, reinforcing existing state statutes without federal enforcement.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in expressing policy preferences on public safety; no conflicts with federalism, as it respects state-level move over laws.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Senators Blumenthal and Fischer) underscores broad consensus on road safety, potentially influencing future advocacy or funding for responder protection without partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-03: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8487; text: CR S8486)
- 2025-12-03: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-12-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day. — issued 2025-12-03 — PDF (3 pages)