Says Drivers Must Now Watch out for All Vehicles That Have Broken Down on the Side of the Road
Effective March 27, New York State will expand its Move Over Law in that drivers must now move over for all vehicles that have broken down by the side of the road, including passenger vehicles. Ira Slavit, a partner with the Mineola-based personal injury law firm Levine & Slavit PLLC, and a road safety advocate, is reminding people to lower their speed and keep their distance from any disabled vehicles.
According to the New York State Department of Transportation, 37 people were killed while standing next to their vehicles from 2016 to 2020. Each year, 300 people across the country are struck and killed. “These drivers need to be aware of other vehicles on the road, especially disabled vehicles,” Mr. Slavit says. “The number of roadside deaths statewide and nationally are unacceptable.”
The first version of the Move Over Law was enacted in 2010 in which drivers had to slow down or make room for emergency vehicles. It has since been updated to include tow trucks, highway and hazard vehicles. In 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul updated the law to include passenger vehicles. Under the updated law, drivers must either move to another lane that is not immediately next to the disabled vehicle. If they are unable to do so, they must slow down to a reasonable speed.
“By making these enhancements to the Move Over Law, we will see a significant reduction in automobile fatalities,” Mr. Slavit says. “It is not only a matter of courtesy, but a matter of safety.”
Mr. Slavit urges anyone who has had a loved one whose disabled vehicle was involved in a deadly crash to seek legal assistance. “Anyone who has caused a crash or fatality as a result of excessive speeding or negligence should be held to account for the damage they have done,” he says.