State police, the Thruway Authority and towing companies are reminding motorists in New York about the law that requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching roadside vehicles with flashing lights.
They’re holding a news conference Friday morning at the state police Thruway barracks in Cheektowaga to publicize the state’s “move over” law.
The original law requires drivers to switch lanes away from a stopped police or fire department vehicle when its lights are flashing, if the flow of traffic allows for a safe lane change.
The law was expanded a year ago to include service vehicles such as tow trucks and maintenance trucks with flashing lights.
Friday’s reminder comes after an accident earlier this month that injured a tow truck operator assisting a driver along a western New York road.
(AP)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
This law is dangerous as it puts pressure on people to try to change lanes on short notice and high speeds. They should call it the “Slow Down” law as it is a lot easier and safe to slow down on short notice.
I always move over to let them go and then go back so I can follow him through the traffic.
#1, if you’re paying attention to what’s in the distance and not just right in front of you (and not speeding), moving over in time should not be a problem.