Expansion of the law will make roadways safer for tow trucks

Garden City, NY, (June 29) - Legislation requiring drivers to slow down and move over for tow trucks has been sent to the Governor's office for approval. if signed into law, effective January 1, 2012, New York's Ambrose-Searles Move Over Act will require drivers to "move over" for tow trucks and other hazard vehicles. Under the law, drivers must exercise "due care" when approaching stopped, parked, or standing hazard vehicles on controlled access highways. "The new law will reduce deaths and injuries among roadside workers and provide them with a margin of safety they need to do their job." said John A. Corlett, Chairman of the Legislative Committee for AAA New York State.

For the law to apply, the emergency vehicle must have its flashing lights activated. If drivers are traveling in the lane adjacent to the emergency vehicle, they must move over one lane unless it would be unreasonable or unsafe to do so.

The fine for violating the move over act is $150, plus a state surcharge of $80-85. Drivers will also receive two violation points on their driver's license record.

The expansion of the law to include other hazard vehicles is dramatized by two incidents involving tow trucks drivers earlier this year. In January, one driver from Canandaigua, NY, had his legs amputated after being pinned between his truck and another car. Then, on March 27, a tow truck driver was killed as he was working on the side of the Cross Island Parkway.

New York State joins 41 other states that have adopted "move over" laws that include tow trucks.