DMV, GTSC, Transportation Agencies and Law Enforcement Remind Motorists To Follow New York's "Move Over Law"
Ahead of National Move Over Day on October 17, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee joined other New York transportation and law enforcement agencies today to highlight the importance of New York's Move Over Law, which requires motorists to drive with care, slow down, and safely move over when approaching all vehicles that are stopped along roadways across the state.
National Move Over Day occurs annually on the third Saturday in October. In 2010, New York State implemented the Move Over Law 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, the law was expanded again to cover all vehicles stopped on the roadway. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee provides grant funding to state and local law enforcement to add extra patrols for this and other specialized traffic details.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt said, “We share Governor Hochul’s commitment to traffic safety as a key part of public safety and the need to promote this vital traffic safety measure. When you see flashing lights, a disabled vehicle or any vehicle stopped along the ride, slow down and move over if it is safe to do so. I thank our law enforcement community statewide for their commitment to enforcing the law and vigilance in making our roadways as safe as possible.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Since 2010, New York’s nation-leading Move Over Law has fundamentally improved public safety along our roadways and thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership and her laser-focus on public safety, the law has been expanded to provide even greater protection for all motorists, not just highway workers and first responders. Whether vehicles are stopped for breakdowns, crashes, or emergencies, slowing down and moving over is everyone’s responsibility. When you put yourself in the shoes of a driver fixing a flat tire on the side of the road, or a NYSDOT HELP Truck providing roadside assistance, or an EMT responding to a crash, it’s clear that the Move Over Law significantly enhances safety along our state’s roadways and is an important part of New York’s framework to achieve our goal of zero deaths on state highways.”
New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare, Esq. said, “The safety of our employees is our top priority. Every day, Thruway personnel, law enforcement, emergency responders and tow operators work feet away from traffic to keep New Yorkers moving safely. The Move Over Law is a simple action that saves lives, and it's essential that drivers stay alert, slow down and safely move over for any vehicle stopped along the roadside. We thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her continued commitment to worker safety, including expanding New York’s Move Over Law to better protect those who work on and alongside our roadways, as well as our transportation partners for their ongoing efforts to educate motorists and keep our roads safe.”
Law enforcement agencies statewide will be out in force on Move Over Day issuing tickets to those who violate the law. For all of 2025, 27,635 Move Over tickets have been issued. So far for 2026, 20,964 tickets have been issued for violations.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “We want drivers to remember that the choices you make behind the wheel can have serious or deadly consequences. Put safety first, pay attention to your surroundings, obey the speed limit, and move over when you are approaching a work zone or emergency vehicle. Traffic safety is a collaborative endeavor, and we are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their shared commitment to protect and serve the community.”
Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association, said, “It seems like common sense…when there is activity on the side of the road drivers should slow down and Move Over. Providing that extra space keeps everyone safe, whether it’s law enforcement, fire services, construction, tow trucks, or just regular vehicles. The Sheriffs of New York State want everyone to be safe on the roads, and that includes emergency services, workers, and people in need of assistance so please slow down and Move Over.”
Town of Brighton Police Department Chief David Catholdi, President of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, said, “Safety on our roadways is a shared responsibility. As we observe National Move Over Day this October 17th, I ask all motorists to protect our public safety members—simply slow down and move over.”
State Senator Patricia Fahy said, “Today, we're reminding all motorists on our Capital Region roads to move over when they see flashing lights and disabled vehicles on the road. This year, State Police saw an 84 percent increase in citations related to New York's Move Over Law. Having your car break down on the highway shouldn't result in serious injury or death, and it takes all of us to look out for another on our roadways. Slow down, move over, and keep yourself and everyone around you safe.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, "National Move Over Day is an important reminder that the people who work along our roads every day deserve our attention and protection. Whether it’s a police officer, a highway maintenance worker, a tow truck operator, or an emergency responder, these individuals put themselves at risk to keep our communities safe. New York’s Move Over Law is designed to help protect them, but it only works when motorists do their part. I encourage everyone to slow down, move over when it is safe to do so, and remain alert behind the wheel. A simple action can help prevent a tragedy and ensure everyone makes it home safely."
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “Our first responders, highway crews and roadside workers put themselves at risk every day to help others, and they deserve to get home safely to their families. Moving over and slowing down when you see an emergency or service vehicle on the side of the road is a simple step that can save a life. Here in Albany County, public safety is a priority, and that includes protecting the people who show up for us when we need them most. I urge every motorist to follow New York’s Move Over Law, stay alert behind the wheel and give these workers the space they need to do their jobs safely.”
From 2016 to 2020, according to the GTSC, 37 individuals were killed outside disabled vehicles in New York. The expanded Move Over Law was enacted to prevent those tragedies and make New York’s roadways safer for all.
DOT has lost 59 workers in the line of duty over the course of its history. In 2025, there were 366 work zone crashes on NYSDOT-owned roads that resulted in 58 injuries and two fatalities.
In 2024, two New York State Thruway Authority maintenance employees were killed and another was critically injured in separate incidents involving motorists who failed to move over. In 2025, there were 229 crashes leading to 28 injuries in Thruway work zones, the highest level since 2020.
Recently, GTSC and Thruway conducted a statewide public service announcement (PSA) campaign, titled "They Trust You," aimed at educating motorists about New York's Move Over Law and the dangers of distracted driving. Funded through a $250,000 GTSC Highway Safety Grant, the campaign ran statewide through the end of September on television, streaming, social media and various digital platforms.
DMV, GTSC and New York State transportation and law enforcement agencies remind motorists:
- As soon as you see lights, vests or reflectors, check traffic around you, SLOW DOWN and MOVE OVER if safe to do so.
- Drivers MUST use due care when approaching an emergency vehicle or hazard vehicle including police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, construction and maintenance vehicles and tow trucks.
- The Move Over Law applies to both sides of the roadway, not just the shoulder on the right.
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