Utility workers will soon join police, firefighters and transportation personnel as a protected group requiring motorists to slow down or move over one lane if they see them working on the side of the road.
Gov. Nathan Deal recently signed House Bill 767, the “Move Over for Linemen” bill. The law, which takes effect July 1, requires any driver approaching a utility worker at an active work site – marked by traffic cones or flashing lights – to change lines or reduce speed; failure to do so risks a fine of up to $250, according to the Georgia Electric Membership Corp., a trade association of electricity co-ops.
Utility workers include electric, natural gas, cable and telecommunications workers, right-of-way crews and utility contractors.
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