From 2015 to 2021, there were 48 people killed while dealing with a disabled vehicle on the side of New York road, according to AAA.
It was in 2010 that the Move Over Law was enacted to stop those deaths from happening. On Wednesday, the law expanded to include all vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
Even though this life-saving law has been in place for more than a decade, many drivers still do not move over or slow down when there is a car on the side of the road.
Numbers from the New York State Police show there was a 7% increase in move-over tickets from 2022 to 2023. In Western New York, 357 tickets were issued during that time. Statewide, there were more than 8,400.
From 2015 to 2021, AAA says 125 police officers, 123 tow truck operators and more than 250 highway workers across the nation were hit and killed by passing vehicles.
There is no grace period for this expansion, which includes passenger vehicles. Before this expansion, the law applied to law enforcement, highway workers, tow trucks, etc., that are stopped on the side of the road.
The law applies to the Thruway, interstates and four-lane roads. But drivers are advised to do their best to move over safely on smaller roads as well, especially if a garbage truck or city crew is working.
State police are reminding drivers to do everything in their power to move over, and if they can't, then slow down.
“Turn your signal on, show everyone that you're trying to or attempting to get out of that lane, the adjacent lane," said Trooper James O'Callaghan. "But anyone who's sat on the side of the Thruway or a side of an interstate with an issue, when those cars go by and it rocks your entire car, it is scary. It’s one of those things you think about that 'hopefully I am safe.'”
It’s a $275 fine and three points on your license if you violate the law.
O’Callaghan says if you are the vehicle that's stopped on the side of the road, put on your hazard lights. This alerts other drivers you’re not moving and having some sort of problem.
Other recommendations include:
- Moving to the right shoulder
- Avoid the left at all costs
- Keep your seatbelt on while in your car
- The same goes for any passenger