Researcher: MK Page 1 4/17/25
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1388
AN ACT CONCERNING FAILURE TO MOVE OVER FOR AN
EMERGENCY VEHICLE RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF THE
OPERATOR OR OTHER OCCUPANT OF THE EMERGENCY
VEHICLE.
SUMMARY
This bill increases, from a fine of up to $10,000 to a class B felony, the
penalty for a violation of the state’s “move over” law (see below) that
results in the death of an emergency vehicle’s operator or occupant. A
class B felony is punishable by a fine up to $15,000; up to 20 years in
prison, with a one-year mandatory minimum; or both.
The bill makes such a violation of the move over law 1st degree
manslaughter, a class B felony, by specifying that the violation
constitutes circumstances evincing an extreme indifference to human
life. By law, among other circumstances, a person is guilty of 1st degree
manslaughter when, under circumstances evincing an extreme
indifference to human life, he or she recklessly engages in conduct
which creates a grave risk of death to another person, and in so doing
causes that person’s death.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025
“MOVE OVER” LAW
The state’s “move over” law requires drivers, when approaching
slow or stationary emergency vehicles in the shoulder, lane, or
breakdown lane, to (1) immediately slow down to a speed reasonably
below the speed limit and (2) if traveling in the lane adjacent to the
shoulder or lane with the emergency vehicle, move over one lane unless
it would be unsafe to do so (drivers must also do this when approaching
slow or stationary nonemergency vehicles). This law applies on public
roads with at least two travel lanes going in the same direction, as well
as two-lane roads (i.e. those with two lanes of undivided traffic 2025SB-01388-R000726-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MK Page 2 4/17/25
proceeding in opposite directions) (CGS § 14-283b).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Judiciary Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 41 Nay 0 (04/04/2025)