State reminds drivers of expanded “Move Over” Law

[TowNews]

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – New York State is reminding drivers of the expanded “Move Over” law that’s going onto the books at the end of the month.

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today reminded drivers that the rule will soon be expanded to include all vehicles which will improve highway safety for everyone. Starting March 27, drivers will be required to take precautions, including slowing down and moving over, to avoid a crash with all vehicles stopped along the roadway. 

 

"The expansion of New York’s Move Over Law to include disabled and stopped vehicles in the roadway is critical to achieving the goal of eliminating fatalities on the roadways. With 37 individuals killed outside of disable vehicles on New York’s roadways from 2016 – 2020, Governor Hochul’s actions to expand the Move Over law will fundamentally save lives by putting safety first."

 

In the years between 2016 to 2020, 37 individuals were killed outside disabled vehicles in New York. Nationally, nearly 300 drivers are struck and killed roadside every year. The Move Over Law was enacted to prevent those tragedies and make New York’s roadways safer for all.  

 

The law first became effective in 2010 to prevent collisions with emergency vehicles that were stopped on the roadway. The law has been expanded several times to also cover hazard vehicles, highway worker vehicles, and tow trucks. In 2023, Governor Hochul signed a bill to further strengthen the law by including this protection for all vehicles stopped on the roadway.

 

Also today, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee launched a public awareness campaign using radio, social media and other out-of-home elements to remind people they will need to “Slow Down, Move Over” as best they can when they come upon someone stopped on the side of the road or in a driving lane. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all 50 states have “Move Over” laws to protect law enforcement officers and other first responders, yet one-third of Americans are not aware of these laws. 

 

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