New additions have been made to the Move Over law in New York which took effect the first of the year.
Do you know what they are?
Our New York car accident attorneys are here to tell you about the revisions and how to make sure you’re safe and following the law when traveling near vehicles now covered under the updated law.
Now, instead of simply moving aside for police cruisers and ambulances, motorists will be required to move over when they see a tow truck, maintenance crew or road construction. The new laws can help to avoid a car accident in New York, especially for those who are responding to a car accident or working to make our roadways safer.
The law requires motorists to change lanes when approaching a vehicle that has flashing amber or red lights. The amber light is an addition to the law. Previously, only red lights had been covered.
The commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, Joan McDonald, says drivers need to be aware of the additions and to keep an eye out for maintenance crews, construction areas, tow truck drivers and police officers. By moving over when traveling down the roadway and providing an extra lane of space, we can all do our part to help to reduce the risks of car accidents involving these workers.
Roadway construction crews work in dangerous conditions just to help to make the roads safer for all of us. This law is the least we can do to help protect them. It’s time to give them some room to do their job.
Tom Brennan, President of the Empire State Towing and Recovery Association, says he’s already been personally involved in two accidents while sitting on the side of the road helping stranded motorists. He says the first accident ended up seriously injuring one of his customers. He says towing industry employees were in dire need of additional protections. He expressed gratitude for this law and congratulated tow truck drivers, hazard vehicles and enforcement cars on their step towards safer roadways.
Covered under the new Move Over law:
-Construction vehicles.
-Highway maintenance vehicles.
-HELP trucks.
-Tow trucks.
-Police vehicles.
-Hazard vehicles.
If you don’t move over for one of these vehicles and provide them with ample space to do their job, you could face a fine of nearly $300. This is in addition to about $85 for a court surcharge and potentially 15 days in jail. That’s not all! You could also receive three points on your driving record, too.
Over the last few years, officials with the New York State Troopers, at the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, at the Westchester County Sheriff’s Office, at the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and a man who was part of a lane striping crew in Erie County have been killed because motorists failed to move over.
The car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offer free and confidential consultations to those who have been injured in a traffic accident in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and elsewhere the in New York City area. Call 1-877-313-7673 to speak with someone about your case and to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
New Resources to Help Reduce Risks of Child Injury during Car Accidents in New York, Nation, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, January 31, 2012
Dangerous Drivers Pleading for Safer Roadways to Reduce Risks of Car Accident in New York and Elsewhere, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, January 29, 2012
