If lights are flashing, plan to move aside

Motorists in the Granite State may have been confused by electronic message boards on state highways last week that read "Law starts Tuesday. Blue - red - amber lights. Move Over Law."

Hamstrung by a tight word limit, the signs announce a new state law that went into effect on Tuesday.

The so-called Move Over Law, approved by the state Legislature earlier this year with little fanfare, is intended to protect more emergency personnel on state highways.

Under the new law, motorists must give "a wide berth" to stationary emergency vehicles displaying blue, red, or amber emergency warning lights.

Prior to this week, the state's three-year-old law only covered vehicles with red and blue lights, which are used by ambulances and fire and police departments. The new law adds amber lights, which are affixed to vehicles used by New Hampshire Department of Transportation workers and town trucks.

"It can be scary out there. When our workers respond to an emergency, cars can be passing by at 70 miles per hour," Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Boynton said earlier this week. "We've had some close calls and this will protect our workers."

According to Move Over America, a partnership between the National Safety Commission, the National Sheriffs' Association, and the National Association of Police Organizations, 43 states have adopted such a law.

Massachusetts is not among them.

Drivers to get a clearer signal

Speaking of lights, some intersections will soon get a new look as New Hampshire becomes the first state in New England to adopt a new flashing-yellow, left-turn signal light at some intersections.

The flashing yellow arrow directs motorists to turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic that has a green light. Currently, a green circle conveys this message, usually with a sign that reads "left turn yield on green circle." Traffic engineers believe that sign has led to some confusion.

"This is the first new display for traffic signals in decades," said New Hampshire Department of Transportation Traffic Bureau Administrator Bill Lambert.

Boynton said the light has already been installed at a traffic signal on Route 3A in Bow and will be set up in Portsmouth in the coming months.

Bridgework begins on I-93

Commuters can expect some delays on Interstate 93 in New Hampshire for a few weeks. Work crews on Sunday began conducting nighttime bridge maintenance, on both sides of the highway from Derry to Manchester, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. The washing and oiling of the bridges are expected to take three weeks, but may take longer, depending on the weather. Lane restrictions will be required.

Transportation comments and questions may be sent to starts@globe.com.