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Committee advances Cheryl’s Law to expand ‘move over’ protections; unanimous committee voice vote to recommend passage
Summary
Sen. Donovan Fenton reintroduced Cheryl’s Law to expand the state’s move‑over requirements to apply to any stopped or standing vehicle; New Hampshire State Police, AAA and tow operators urged enactment; the committee voted unanimously in executive session to recommend passage (committee recommendation recorded).
Senator Donovan Fenton (District 10) reintroduced Senate Bill 273, commonly styled “Cheryl’s Law,” which would strengthen New Hampshire’s existing move‑over statute by requiring motorists to slow, change lanes when safe, and otherwise provide a wider berth for any stopped or standing vehicle displaying warning signals — not just official emergency or service vehicles.
Fenton framed the bill as a response to roadside fatalities, citing the deaths of Staff Sergeant Jesse Cheryl and Brigadier General John Pregorko (as referenced in testimony) as the impetus for the measure. “We must act now to prevent further losses,” Fenton said, calling the change a “straightforward common sense measure” to protect first responders, tow operators, roadside workers and stranded motorists.
Lieutenant Chris Storm of the New Hampshire State Police and Lieutenant Joseph Ronke, representing the office of highway safety, testified in support on behalf of the State Police. Storm said the bill honors the memory of officers who died on roadways and would provide a clearer, simpler rule for motorists.
Dan Goodman, manager of public affairs and traffic safety for AAA Northern New England, told the committee that the current law is “very nuanced” and that motorists are often unsure when to slow or move over. He argued the expanded language would save lives and reduce roadside fatalities: “If we can simplify it and say, move over for all vehicles ... it adds that additional layer of protection for everyone on the side of the road.”
Tow operator Peter Marciano described personal reasons for supporting the bill and displayed a vehicle marked for Trooper Cheryl in tribute. Multiple witnesses underscored that roadside strikes are a recurring, national problem; witnesses cited nationwide roadside fatality counts and recent local losses.
The committee took the bill into executive session, and—by voice vote—members recorded an “aye” recommendation for passage. The chair announced the committee will carry the bill forward and brought the measure out of executive session; committee members indicated they intend to bring the bill to the floor with the family invited to show support.
