Over the last decade among law enforcement alone, 164 officers have been killed during traffic stops because they or their vehicles were struck while pulled over on the side of the road. After a three-year legislative journey, the Ambrose-Searles Move Over Law goes into effect Jan. 1. The law was named after two officers, New York State Trooper Robert Ambrose and Onondaga County Sheriff Deputy Glenn Searles. Both were killed while stopped to investigate a traffic incident.
The new law requires drivers to change lanes or at least slow down whenever they see a stopped emergency vehicle and hopes of reduce the risk of serious or fatal New York car accidents, the Utica Observer-Dispatch reports.
With the passage of the law, New York became the 48th state back such an effort. A similar law – one that directs drivers to move over when they see flashing emergency lights approaching from behind – is already on the books, but the Ambrose-Searles Act includes stronger enforcement tools. Drivers cited under the new law will face up to $360 in fines and surcharges, up to 15 days in jail and the addition of three points on their driver’s license.
Many officials in both the law enforcement and emergency response community believe that just responding to a call often puts officers more at risk than addressing whatever issue requires their attention upon arrival. This sentiment rings especially true for New York City firefighters, who respond to about a million emergency calls and about 230,000 non life-threatening reports each year.
Calls that often require them to navigate New York City streets crowded with cars, bikes and pedestrians at high rates of speed with lights and sirens blaring. According to the New York Times, New York City fire trucks collided with other vehicles (including, on occasion, other fire rescue trucks) nearly 700 times in 2009. Just in October, more than a dozen civilians were injured in a Brooklyn crash after a ladder truck struck a engine truck as both raced to the same non-fire emergency site.
In an effort to diminish the number of accidents involving fire emergency vehicles and the public, the New York City Fire Department is participating in a three-month pilot project in Queens meant to slow firefighter response to non life-threatening emergencies. The program a slow-go approach with sirens and lights off and requires fire truck drivers to obey normal traffic laws like any other citizen as they make their way to the call location.
The pilot program is not without its detractors and some critics are already suggesting that attempting to run a truck through city streets with no emergency indicators will make it nearly impossible cut through traffic. Still others in say it’s not recklessness on the part of fire truck operators that are causing so many accidents. Rather, at least one union official points blame at glitches within the new emergency call system that have sent emergency workers to wrong locations with inaccurate information.
Whatever the case, the pilot program will examine multiple issues facing emergency vehicles and public safety, include the 911 overhaul and traffic accident data with the goal of making New York City roads safer for first-responders and residents alike.
New York City car accident lawyer, Nicholas Rose would like you to know our office is available for a free and confidential consultation if you have been injured in car accident. To schedule an appointment, call us at 1-877-313-ROSE (7673). Representing accident victims throughout the New York City area, including Long Island, Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
