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Police Will Conduct State-Wide 'Move Over' Law Detail

The New York State Move Over law is pretty simple -- if you see flashing lights in any color, slow down and move over.

New York State Troopers will be enforcing the state's Move Over law this week.

New York State Troopers will be enforcing the state's Move Over law this week.

Photo Credit: New York State

But each year, road workers, law enforcement officials, and others continue to be hit and injured or killed when inattentive drivers fail to do just that: Move over.

That's why the state is running a week-long campaign to raise awareness of the state's law which requires motorists to drive with care, slow down, and safely move over when approaching law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks, and construction and maintenance vehicles that are stopped along roads across the state. 

On Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thruway Authority staff, State Troopers, and tow truck operators will hand out flyers to promote awareness about the Move Over law at service areas along I-87 and I-90, including the plaza in Ramapo, between exits 16 and 15A.

In addition, New York State Police Troop T will conduct a Move Over enforcement detail for motorists who fail to move over for emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and maintenance vehicles.

The law was enacted in 2011 to protect New Yorkers working along the roadway and has since been expanded to include a wider range of emergency and hazard vehicles.

"New York has zero tolerance for reckless, dangerous drivers, and with the launch of this new campaign, state and local officials will help educate New Yorkers on the importance of moving over for first responders," said Gov. Cuomo said. "This campaign sends a clear message to motorists to obey the law, stay alert and help ensure the safety of men and women along New York roadways."

In 2016, the law was expanded to include volunteer firefighter and ambulance workers. The law previously applied only to law enforcement, emergency or hazard vehicles. The law applies to vehicles with flashing blue, green, red, white, or amber lights. 

The Move Over Law applies to both sides of the roadway, not just the shoulder on the right, and motorists caught in violation can face two points on their license and a minimum $150 fine for the first offense.

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