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An Act To Ensure the Safety of Stationary Public Utility Emergency Service 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, a stationary public utility emergency service vehicle using its authorized lights or a stationary 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 or wrecker, if possible; or
 
B. If passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible or unsafe, pass the emergency vehicle, public utility emergency service vehicle or wrecker at a careful and prudent speed reasonable for passing the authorized emergency vehicle, public utility emergency service 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 to the list of stationary vehicles for which a motorist must move to a nonadjacent lane, if possible, or slow down.