State 'Move Over' Law Takes Effect Today

51 Comments

MID-HUDSON, NY – Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum and Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois remind drivers that a new state law designed to protect law enforcement, fire personnel and emergency workers takes effect on January 1, 2011.

The law requires motorists to move over or slow down when approaching a parked authorized emergency vehicle with emergency lights flashing.

The Ambrose-Searles “Move Over” Act honors the memory of State Trooper Robert Ambrose and Onondaga County Deputy Glenn Searles, who lost their lives while serving the public.

The law obligates drivers to move over to the lane that is farthest from where the emergency vehicle is pulled over. On single lane roads, drivers are required to slow down and take care to pass emergency vehicles at a safe distance. Violators will face fines and points charged against their driver’s license.

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DarkBlue

over 2 years ago

4880 Comments

TKodiak.......Thanks. I saw it in our Bulletin at work yesterday.
We need a blanket summons like DWS. Driving While Stupid.
investigatorclay

over 2 years ago

38 Comments

almost became that offender myself today...passed a unexpected traffic stop. motorcycle officer had a speeder stopped on inside shoulder but did not have any of his lights still on...

let's stay safe guys and gals....the lights aren't just pretty, they're for protection too
ChiefDC501

over 2 years ago

514 Comments

Texas has had this for several years and it works well if a times a scecond unit arrives which often happens. Then if everything is alright they can stop the offender passing by instead of just hanging around waiting to chat once the citation is issued
TKodiak

over 2 years ago

76 Comments

Dark Blue, the NYSVTL section is 1144a, too bad we had to legislate common sense.
DarkBlue

over 2 years ago

4880 Comments

The only problem is I usually can't leave the Car stop or Accident scene to go after the speeding morons. I lost count on how many speeders have almost hit me while not slowing or moving over even 1 foot.
curedgirls

over 2 years ago

3626 Comments

we've had this in PA for several years now - just like every other law - I wish more people would obey it.
Eilene

over 2 years ago

18368 Comments

@Dark Blue thanks for the clarification. Maryland needs a law like that too many LE have been killed conducting traffic stops on the roads. Then again, as far as I can tell very few people here obey any traffic laws.
DarkBlue

over 2 years ago

4880 Comments

Anyone know the NYS VTL code for it ? And.... It's about &^$#*&% time. Eilene.........this is not for MOVING Emergency vehicles. There is already A Law for that. This is for STATIONARY EMERGENCY VEHICLES WITH THERE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON CONDUCTING A CAR STOP OR OTHER EMERGENCY BUSINESS.
investigatorclay

over 2 years ago

38 Comments

its been here in texas for a while but i still know some of the baser life forms that like to get as close as they can just to give a good scare.

personally anytime i am pulled over i pull completely off the road into the grass or exit the highway just for safety
Eilene

over 2 years ago

18368 Comments

I was under the impression that all states had a "move over law". I grew up in Philadelphia and not moving over when there was an emergency vehicle behind you was unheard of. I was surprised when I was in Indiana that drivers move their vehicles to the shoulder when an emergency vehicle or funeral is passing. Here in Frederick Maryland very few drivers move over to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. I have blocked intersections countless time to all the emergency vehicle to go around stopped traffic and continue onto their call.
251

over 2 years ago

38 Comments

I intentionally hang out after a traffic stop on a highway for a few minutes finishing up paperwork just waiting for people that dont move over. I love making that followup traffic stop.
davidcothern

over 2 years ago

10 Comments

Here in Michigan the law has been in affect for some time now and it includes ALL Legal emergency vehicles, which include and are not limited to Police, EMS, Fire, Wreckers, (both with and without Police contracts or rotation. I believe they should limit the speed to at least half if not 3/4 of the speed limit.
Anonymous

over 2 years ago

Really should not have to be a law, eh. Common sense would dictate these measures, but then 'common' isn't apparently and so yes, it has to be a law. So many unnecessary deaths of good people doing the right thing...so at least there can be some penalty for idiots, distracted, and/or woefully inexperienced drivers.
shananigans86

over 2 years ago

166 Comments

I agree. When I worked day shift, we would get bored and play leap frog catching these. However, here in Oregon it used to be that if they couldn't move over, they had to slow down....then Oregon decided to say they only needed to slow down 5 MPH. I was thinking like half the posted speed would have been better.
TrafficCop28

over 2 years ago

1424 Comments

Hey folks. If you have this law in effect and you are witnessing boneheads not abiding by this law, tag team violators with a coworker. If you're a trooper and you don't have anyone in your duty area, find a deputy, local PD or another LEO. It's time to take your safety into your hands!