ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul this week reminded drivers that New York’s Move Over Law will soon be expanded to include all vehicles, which will improve highway safety for everyone.

Starting Wednesday, March 27, drivers will be required to take precautions, including slowing down and moving over, to avoid a crash with all vehicles stopped along the roadway.

“The safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority, especially those pulled over to the side of the road,” Hochul said in a statement. “If you see that you are approaching a disabled vehicle, slow down and move over as best you can to give them some space.”

From 2016 to 2020, 37 individuals were killed outside disabled vehicles in New York. Nationally, nearly 300 drivers are struck and killed roadside every year. The Move Over Law was enacted to prevent those tragedies and make New York’s roadways safer for all.

The law first became effective in 2010 to prevent collisions with emergency vehicles that were stopped on the roadway.

The law has been expanded several times to also cover hazard vehicles, highway worker vehicles, and tow trucks. In 2023, Hochul signed a bill to further strengthen the law by including this protection for all vehicles stopped on the roadway. Under the law, when a driver is approaching a vehicle stopped along either shoulder of the road, they should:

¯ change into a lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle, or

¯ slow down to a reasonable speed if unable to safely make a lane change.

In addition, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is launching a public awareness campaign using radio, social media and other out-of-home elements to remind people they will need to “Slow Down, Move Over” as best they can when they come upon someone stopped on the side of the road or in a driving lane. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all 50 states have “Move Over” laws to protect law enforcement officers and other first responders, yet one-third of Americans are not aware of these laws.

“The expansion of the Move Over Law is another example of New York state’s commitment to making this state a safe place to live, work, and travel,” DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said in a statement. “You never know when you may need to pull over, but when you do, we want to make sure you can do so without putting yourself or others in harm’s way. Each of us is responsible for doing our part to prevent tragedies on our roadways, so please follow the law. Slow down and move over when you see another vehicle stopped.”

Visit the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website at trafficsafety.ny.gov for information about the Move Over Law and other highway safety initiatives.