Op Ed:

It’s time for New York to Slow Down and Move Over for All

By Anthony B. Spada
President and CEO, AAA Western and Central New York
President, AAA New York State

Imagine if you or your loved ones were stranded on the side of the road risking your life over a disabled vehicle. It may sound extreme, yet it’s a scenario far too familiar on our roads today. Motorists are being struck while tending to broken-down cars when drivers fail to Slow Down and Move Over.

Here’s the good news: New York State’s previously enacted "move over" law has been effective in enhancing the safety of law enforcement, highway maintenance workers and tow truck drivers near vehicles that are stopped at the side of the road. 

Unfortunately, there are still tragedies each year involving motorists that are killed or seriously injured while on the shoulder as they attend to an emergency, such as changing a tire.

According to AAA analysis of data obtained from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 1,703 people were struck while outside of a disabled vehicle in the U.S. from 2016-2020. 37 of those were fatalities that occurred right here in New York State.  

There is current legislation pending that would expand the Slow Down/Move Over law in New York to include disabled vehicles that are parked on the shoulder of a highway. The legislation requires drivers to exercise caution when approaching a disabled vehicle or vehicle that is involved in a crash.

S5129/A1077 will expand the "move over" law to require motorists, if possible, to safely move over for any disabled vehicle stopped on the shoulder of a roadway. Thirteen other states, including Maryland and Connecticut, already have laws enacted to protect stranded drivers from being struck on the roadside.

What is New York waiting for? This legislation will create safer roadways for all motorists, including those experiencing an emergency on the side of the highway. 

Accordingly, AAA New York State supports enactment of this legislation, and I personally urge elected officials to take action to ensure that this legislation becomes law – it’s the right thing to do to protect innocent motorists. 

You never know when you’ll find yourself broken down on the side of the road – it’s an unfortunate situation, but it’s one that shouldn’t be life threatening. Wouldn’t you like to know that drivers will Slow Down and Move Over to protect you?