WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Jim Talent wants the government to promote ''pass with care'' laws that keep police officers and firefighters safe when they respond to emergencies on the nation's highways.
Under an amendment Talent added to the massive highway bill now being considered by the Senate, the U.S. Department of Transportation would develop model legislation to guide states on better protecting first responder vehicles. The Senate approved the amendment Wednesday.
Talent said the measure was inspired by the story of Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper Michael Newton, who was killed while making a traffic stop in 2003. Newton's car was rear-ended by a truck as it was parked on the shoulder of Interstate 70.
Only 27 states currently have ''pass with care'' laws that govern how motorists pass and yield to first responder vehicles, Talent said. If the highway bill is enacted later this year, Talent's amendment would give guidance to those remaining states on drafting laws that could help save lives.
The amendment also would authorize the Transportation Department to partner with safety organizations in public outreach efforts to improve first responder safety.
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