New York state troopers will be on the lookout for those who do not follow the law when approaching first responder and other emergency vehicles on roadways. Troopers will also be tracking speeders for traffic violations more closely.
The “Move Over” law was passed in 2008 after the deaths of two state troopers. The law requires that a driver approaching a scene with flashing lights, stopped emergency vehicles or police cruisers on the shoulder of the road, slow down and if possible, move one lane over away from the scene. In 2012, emergency vehicles with amber lights were included in the law. This means the law applies for tow trucks and other vehicles.
Speeding is another issue troopers will be monitoring more closely. Authorities state that speeding is a leading cause of accidents on roadways, and that it also increases the risk of emergency workers being hurt on the job.
Everyone should be careful and cognizant of those on the road with them and use proper care when driving. If a person is charged with a traffic violation or is involved in an accident with emergency workers, it is important that the person construct as vigorous a defense as possible. Advice from an attorney with experience in this area might be helpful in building such a defense. An attorney might be able to speak to prosecutors and have charges reduced or dismissed. It is may also be possible for the attorney to find errors during the investigative stage, or call into question whether the accused was actually the cause of the accident.
Source: Poughkeepsie Journal, “N.Y. troopers plan extra traffic enforcement,” April 1, 2013
