Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Cuomo signs expanded 'Move Over Law'

Fri, Jul 29th 2016 10:35 am

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation July 21 expanding New York state's "Move Over Law" to include volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

The measure (S.7938/A.8702-A) requires drivers to slow down and move over a lane when approaching a vehicle with flashing blue or green lights that are operated by volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers involved in a roadside emergency.

"Our first responders risk their lives day in and day out, often putting their own safety and well-being in jeopardy, in order to protect their communities and their fellow New Yorkers," Cuomo said. "This new law will help ensure that first responders are protected from avoidable hazards when responding to a roadside emergency."

Previously, the Move Over Law only applied to drivers approaching stopped police, emergency or hazard vehicles with flashing red and white or amber lights.

State Sen. David Valesky said, "The current Move Over Law protects police, emergency, and hazard vehicle operators by requiring approaching drivers to slow down and move one lane over, but volunteer emergency responders do not have the same protection. Expanding this law will extend that safeguard to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers when they are providing emergency assistance. I thank Gov. Cuomo for signing this important protection into law."

Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli said, "I want to thank the governor for signing this important bill into law. It will make common sense changes to the Move Over Law by expanding its coverage to include the blue and green lights that are used by many volunteer fire and ambulance companies. All first responders deserve the protections of the Move Over Law when responding to incidents and emergencies on our roadways. This new law will help keep them safe when they are serving the public."

Hometown News

View All News