WORCESTER COUNTY, Mass. - Local police departments and driving schools say following the Move Over Law ensures safety for everyone on the road.

Calling hours and a funeral will be held this week for Connecticut Trooper Aaron Pelletier. He was hit and killed while on the side of the road last Thursday and a memorial has been growing around his police car. The driver who hit him is being held on bail.

Pelletier's death came just hours after two firefighters were hit on the side of the road in Coventry, Rhode Island.

All 50 states in the U.S. have laws in place to address roadside line-of-duty fatalities. 

In Massachusetts, drivers are required to proceed with caution and take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and workers on the roadside.

If possible, drivers should make an effort to change lanes away from stationary vehicles to create a buffer zone. If changing lanes isn't an option, drivers are expected to reduce their speed.

Failure to comply with the law may result in fines and penalties.

Sgt. Sean Paine said the Sturbridge Police Department works to get the word out about the Move Over Law.

"It's important because if you're not paying attention, it could result, as you saw in Connecticut, in loss of life, which is tragic," Paine said. "We try to get the message out often on our social media, just letting people know that we're out there, we're going to be on the side of the road. It's not just the police that you have to move over for; it's also fire and recovery vehicles as well."

The Move Over Law has been in place in Massachusetts since 2009.

Rob Massar at CMSC Driving School said their message to driving students is to always be vigilant on the road, especially in the summer months when there's a lot more traffic and construction.

"Your attention on the road has to be out there. It doesn't matter if it's a highway or local streets," Massar said. "The Move Over Law is critical, if people are not aware of that, [we] make sure that they are aware of it. Because if there is construction or anything happening on the side of the road, a broken down car, it is important that you move out of the right lane. And if it's impossible to move out of the right lane, to be sure to slow down substantially, to make sure that you have given enough room for the people who are on the side of the road."

The state says it's essential for drivers to understand the seriousness of violating the Move Over Law and to prioritize safety when encountering emergency situations on the road.