• 27
  • January
    2012

Last year a new "move over" law required New York drivers to change lanes or slow down for stopped police cars or fire trucks on the side of the road. But as of this month this law has expanded.

The previous law only required drivers to change lanes or slow down for red flashing lights. The new law now requires drivers to do this for amber lights as well. Amber lights are found on tow trucks, maintenance vehicles or any trucks that may assist other motorists.

Local tow truck companies and employees of the New York State Thruway say that they often put their lives in danger when they are out on the side of the road. Many workers have experienced a number of close calls - further exacerbated by the fact that many New Yorkers are still not even aware of the state's move over law. Drivers who have been ticketed say they did not know there was a New York traffic law requiring them to move over or slow down.

New York State Troopers and the Thruway authority recently held news conferences to get the word out. Drivers who are ticketed under this law could be fined up to $275.

A second vehicle and traffic law that went into effect on January 13th, 2012, requires trucks to have crossover mirrors. This new law was put in place to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths and provide a way for truck drivers to better see people crossing directly in front of their vehicles.

Crossover mirrors allow truck drivers to see people who are at least three feet tall crossing in front of the vehicle at least a foot away. These mirrors have been used on school buses for many years.

Source: LoHud.com, "State Move Over law widens to include tow trucks, maintenance vehicles," 1/3/2012.