Q:  Why do some police pull someone over and park halfway in the driving lane making it more dangerous for them instead off of the road on the shoulder?"

A: Thank you for the question. In NYS there is a “Move Over Law” that requires motorists to move over one lane anytime there is response vehicle with lights on the road. This includes police, ambulance, fire, tow trucks, help trucks, and DOT workers. 

I reached out to police to answer this specific question and a number of law enforcement officials answered with similar responses.  Police officers are trained from the police academy to make vehicle and traffic stops in a manner to ensure the safety of the motorist being stopped, as well as themselves.  As such, a police officer will typically pull their car approximately three feet to the left of the vehicle being stopped which often forces the patrol car to be partially in the driving lane. 

Some local officials refer to this as "off-set position". Though this does interfere with the traffic passing the police vehicle, this staggered position allows for a safety zone for the police officer to interact with the driver of the car and provides for a safe distance for passing traffic from the vehicle that is stopped in the event the driver is asked to exit the vehicle for any reason.  

Motorists can assist police when approaching an incident scene/stop location in two manners.  First, if you are stopped by the police, pull as far to the right as you can safely pull in order to lessen the amount of lane the officer will need to take up with his or her patrol vehicle.  Secondly, if you see emergency lights in your lane slow down and move over to ensure everyone’s safety. 

If you cannot safely maneuver into the on-coming lane due to approaching traffic or some other hazard then wait for the road to be clear and then go around.  Even if you are approaching the location from the opposite side of the road you should still slow down and move over to allow safe passage of motor vehicles passing the incident location. ​

Spectrum News's Real-Time Traffic Expert, Lacey Leonardi, helps you get around accidents and congestion in Central New York. Every week, Lacey answers a viewer question on Spectrum News's Traffic Inbox. Have a question about traffic or the rules of the road? Ask Lacey!