Scary Crash on New York Highway is a Warning to All Drivers

The Move Over Law in New York State was enacted in 2010 to prevent collisions with emergency vehicles. It required drivers to change lanes when approaching these types of vehicles.

Years later, the Move Over Law was expanded and added hazard vehicles and other responder vehicles. What the law did not cover, was for personal vehicles stopped on the sides of highways.

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According to New York State Senator Lea Webb, almost 300 drivers have been struck and killed roadside annually in the Empire State, including 37 individuals who were outside of a disabled vehicle between 2016 and 2020.

On September 29, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law, an expanded Move Over Law, sponsored by Senator Webb, that includes all vehicles, both emergency and non-emergency, that are stopped on roadways in New York State. This expanded law went into effect on March 27, 2024.

The New York State Thruway Authority reminds motorists that as soon as they see lights, vests, or reflectors, and now any vehicle on the side of the road, check traffic around them, slow down, and move over if safe to do so. Unfortunately, not all motorists are adhering to the expanded Move Over Law.

The New York State Department of Transportation posted on social media on November 7th (2024) a very disturbing video of a highway worker on Interstate 81 near Whitney Point, narrowly being hit by a truck that appeared not to move over then approaching construction vehicles.

Watch the video below from the New York State Department of Transportation posted on their Facebook page.

The Move Over Law applies to both sides of the roadway, not just the shoulder on the right. According to the NYS DOT, fortunately, there were no serious injuries, but it could have been much worse.

As the New York State Department of Transportation notes "These crashes are avoidable. Slow down, move over if possible, and stay alert in work zones. These simple actions can save lives."