Committee advances ‘Cheryl’s Law’ to expand move-over rules to all roadside stops

The House Transportation Committee moved SB 273, billed as Cheryl’s Law, forward after testimony from the bill’s prime sponsor, safety advocates and law-enforcement groups that the state’s current move-over law should cover any stopped or standing motorist as well as emergency and service vehicles.

Sen. Donovan Fenton, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the committee the measure would “clarify motorists’ responsibilities” and require drivers to reduce speed, change lanes if it is safe to do so and give a wider berth when approaching stopped or standing vehicles displaying warning signals. “This legislation has broad support from key stakeholders,” Fenton said, citing recent roadside fatalities, including Staff Sgt. Jesse Cheryl and Brig. Gen. John Pogoic.

The bill would also require drivers to follow directions of authorized personnel directing traffic and obey applicable signals. It adds…