Attention drivers: New York’s expanded Move Over Law takes effect March 27

Starting March 27, the law will require drivers 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 the announcement. “If you see that you are approaching a disabled vehicle, slow down and move over as best you can to give them some space.”

Under the law, when a driver is approaching a vehicle stopped along either shoulder of the road, they should either 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.

The law first became effective in 2010 to prevent collisions with emergency vehicles that were stopped on the roadway. State lawmakers have expanded the law 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, her office said.

From 2016-2020, 37 people were killed outside disabled vehicles in New York. Nationally, nearly 300 drivers are struck and killed roadside every year, Hochul’s office said.