PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Increase Safety for Law Enforcement Officers and Emergency Responders
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 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 or wrecker, if possible; or
 
B.  If passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible or unsafe, pass the emergency vehicle or wrecker at a careful and prudent speed reasonable for passing the authorized emergency vehicle or wrecker safely.
 
A violation of this subsection is a traffic infraction for which a minimum fine of $250$500 must be adjudged, except that, beginning September 1, 2013, a minimum fine of $250 must be adjudged.
 
SUMMARY
Current law requires a minimum fine of $250 for an operator of a vehicle who passes a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or wrecker in an unsafe manner. This bill raises that fine to $500 for a 2-year period, after which the fine will go back to $250.