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Montana House Bill 320, better known as the “Move Over” bill advanced out of the Legislature with full bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Gianforte on April 18, taking effect on July 1.  

The “Move Over” law is intended to offer greater protection to utility and highway maintenance workers by requiring motorists to slow down and move over for them, just as they would police, fire, or ambulance. 

State of Montana outline with power lines and a bucket truck working with flashing amber lights and the words "Move over, slow down, it's the law."

If workers are parked on the roadway or shoulder and displaying flashing or rotating red, white, blue, amber or green lights, or displaying any temporary sign advising of an emergency scene or accident ahead, the “Move Over” law applies.  

Motorists must abide by any temporarily posted speed signs put up by workers, too. In the absence of signage, the following speed guidelines are in effect through the passage of related Montana House Bill 470: 

  • On an interstate, motorists must slow by 20 MPH if they can move over. 
  • On a state highway or county road, motorists must slow by 30 MPH if they can move over. 
  • On any other road, or if a motorist cannot safely move over, motorists must slow to half of the posted speed limit. 
Aerial view of road with 4 lanes of traffic showing a car slowing down and moving towards the center line when passing a line truck with flashing amber lights and traffic cones.
On an Interstate, if you can move over safely, you must move over and slow down by 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
Aerial view of a two lane road showing a vehicle moving to the opposite lane and slowing down when approaching a line truck with flashing amber lights and cones on the road shoulder.
On a State highway or County road, if you can move over safely you must move over and slow down by 30 miles per hour slower than the posted speed limit.
Aerial view of a two lane road showing a vehicle slowing down when approaching a line truck with flashing amber lights and cones on the road shoulder.
On all other roads, or if you cannot safely move over, you must slow down by half of the posted speed limit.

Please help to keep everyone safe by moving over and slowing down when you see flashing utility lights or signs, like those on Flathead Electric Cooperative bucket trucks and pickup trucks.