New York Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
Although many are not aware of it, on January 1, 2011 the Move Over Act was implemented in New York State. The Act requires that drivers observing emergency vehicles with their lights flashing on the side of a highway must reduce their speed and drive with “due care.” If the driver is on a highway or parkway with multiple lanes, the driver is required to pull his or her vehicle one lane to the left to avoid the possibility of endangering the safety of the emergency responders.
The Act came in to being in response to several cases over the last few years in which emergency personnel and police officers were either killed or severely injured due to motorists driving too closely or too fast in proximity to the workers or officers. The official name of the regulation is the Ambrose-Searles Move Over Act, named after New York State Trooper Robert W. Ambrose and Onodaga County Sheriff Glenn M. Searles, who both were killed in the line of duty while their cars were attending to emergencies on the roadway.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, since 1999, more than 160 law enforcement officials have been killed as a result of being struck while assisting in roadway incidents. A violation of the Move Over Act will result in a fine of $275.00 and a two point assessment on the motorists’ license.
The Westchester County Traffic Tickets Lawyers in White Plains, New York are available 24 hours a day if you are charged with a traffic violation. Our experienced lawyers will provide a free consultation to discuss your case. Please call (914) 428-7386 or you can contact our firm online.