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Saying “the safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority,” Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a reminder that starting today, March 27, the state’s expanded Move Over Law is in effect.
Now, drivers are required to take precautions — slow down and move over — when approaching any and all vehicles stopped along state roadways — or face getting a ticket.
“The safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority, especially those pulled over to the side of the road,” Hochul said. “If you see that you are approaching a disabled vehicle, slow down and move over as best you can to give them some space.”
The Move Over Law in its earliest form was first passed in 2010, with the idea in mind to prevent collisions with police cars and other emergency vehicles stopped on roadways. The law was expanded several times since to also cover hazard vehicles, highway worker vehicles, and tow trucks.
Hochul signed a bill in 2023 that expanded the law to all vehicles.
According to state data, from 2016 to 2020, 37 people were killed outside disabled vehicles in New York. Nationally, nearly 300 drivers are struck and killed roadside every year, the governor’s announcement reads.
What to do
Under the law, when a driver is approaching a vehicle stopped along either the shoulder or in the road, they should:
- change into a lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle, or
- slow down to a reasonable speed if unable to safely make a lane change.
Photo Credit: Governor Kathy Hochul on Facebook
