The New York State Department of Transportation issued a press release in late December alerting New Yorkers to a change in the state’s ‘Move Over Law.’  The ‘Move Over Law’ has been expanded to require motorists to change lanes when approaching vehicles with flashing amber lights, such as tow trucks.

New York’s initial Move Over Law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2011.  The move over law requires motorists to move over and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel assisting motorists.  The law is designed to save lives and prevent accidents.

Our New York car accident attorneys are providing this information as an important safety reminder for those traveling our highways in the Rochester, Watertown, Elmira and Syracuse areas, as well as throughout the state of New York.   Please give our emergency responders the space they need to safely and effectively perform their jobs.

The law requires that, when possible, motorists must change lanes when they approach an incident where there is a vehicle with flashing red or amber lights. When it is not possible to move over, or there is only one lane, drivers must slow down.

In addition to law enforcement and emergency vehicles, the law requires motorists to move over for tow trucks, HELP trucks, highway maintenance trucks and any other vehicle being used in the construction or maintenance of roadways.

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico said, “The men and women who work on our highways perform essential, often life saving, services. It’s always been common sense to move over to give them room to do their jobs, and now it’s the law.”

According to the press release, New York State Troopers in Westchester County and Erie County, an Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputy in Syracuse, and a man working on a lane striping crew in Erie County have all died in roadside accidents. 

Syracuse.com reports on November 20, 2011, a tow truck operator who was assisting a motorist on the eastbound Thruway, near Interstate 481, near Syracuse, was killed when he was struck by a tractor-trailer.

Please do your part in keeping our emergency responders safe and move over.

Contact Our NY Accident Lawyers Today

Experience counts. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident in New York that was caused by another driver, contact the Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates  today for a review of your case. There is no cost to you for the initial call.

Call our 24-hour answering service at (800) 825-5229 or submit our online contact form.  We have offices in Rochester, Elmira, Syracuse, Watertown or online at www.1800talklaw.com.