The next several weeks are a great time for car trips, especially during the peak of the fall foliage season. So, it is time to review the main points of Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) section 1144-a, commonly referred to as the “Slow Down — Move Over” law.

The history of this law began with police vehicles. Shortly afterward, fire and rescue vehicles were included; after that, utility vehicles were added.

Compliance with this law means slowing down to a speed that is obviously lower than the posted speed limit while passing these vehicles. If you are driving on limited access or multiple lane highways, moving over a lane is appropriate, if practicable. Even on two lane roads, if there are no oncoming vehicles, it is permissible to cross a solid line on your side of the road to allow more room between your vehicle and the emergency or hazard vehicle you are passing, but only if it is safe to do so.

The need for these laws developed when an increasing number of police officers were injured or killed by motorists failing to slow down and give as much room as possible to enforcement personnel that were just doing their job. Fire, rescue and utility personnel were eventually added for basically the same reason that the law was intended for enforcement.

The law was further expanded again on March 26 of this year to require that motorists “exercise due care and take actions” to avoid collisions when approaching any vehicle, including those without flashing emergency or hazard lights, which are parked, stopped, or standing on the shoulder of a parkway or controlled-access highway. When drivers approach 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 they are unable to safely change lanes.

A driver convicted of a violation of VTL section 1144-a, is subject to a fine of up to $150 plus surcharges and/or up to 15 days in jail for the first offense. It also includes two points on your license.

New York officials call the move over law expansion “critical” to reducing highway fatalities.