Montana Move Over law takes effect as winter arrives

Earlier this month, Montana's Move Over law went into effect, requiring drivers to significantly slow down when they encounter stationary law enforcement, emergency, towing, maintenance or construction vehicles at the side of the road and to change lanes when possible.

Havre Police Chief Gabe Matosich said the law is most important for protecting people on the highways, but even in town the officers often need as much space as possible when conducting traffic stops or other business on the side of the road.

"First Street, Fifth Avenue, 14th Avenue, Old Post Road, 13th Avenue West, those areas there ... when you see the red and blue flashing lights you should start slowing down," he said.

The new law seems to have gone into effect just in time for the early arrival of snow and ice in much of the state, with record-breaking snowfall in some areas, and Matosich said people need to be careful.

"Winter comes upon us really quickly, so we all gotta start slowing down, take our time," he said.

He said people should remember to start giving themselves a bit more time in getting to work or wherever they are going so everyone remains safe.

Montana has long required drivers to slow down or change lanes when a law enforcement vehicle is on the side of the road, but changes made to the law in the 2023 legislative session expanded the law to include utility workers and laid out clearer requirements of drivers and the penalties for not complying.

The changes were supported by many, but especially by utility workers, with many testifying before legislators that they frequently feel that their lives are put at risk by drivers who do not slow down enough.

The new law, which went into effect Oct. 1, says that drivers approaching stationary emergency, towing, maintenance, construction or law enforcement vehicles must slow down to the temporarily posted speed limit sign.

If there is no sign, the law states, they must slow by 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit on the interstate and move lanes when possible, and slow down to half speed if they cannot change lanes.

On state highways and county roads they must slow by 30 miles per hour and change lanes, or to half speed if they cannot.

Drivers on all other roads are required to drop to half speed.

If drivers on any kind of road cannot move to another lane, they are required to move as far from the stationary vehicle as safely possible.

Under this law, failure to comply would be considered reckless endangerment of personnel and will be fined up to $10,000 and imprisonment for one year after repeat offenses.