Suffolk County police issued 438 summonses to drivers during a two-week enforcement initiative targeting violations of New York’s Move Over Law, county officials announced Thursday.
Patrol officers and members of the Highway Patrol Bureau’s Suffolk Intensified Traffic Enforcement team stepped up enforcement from Aug. 21 through Sept. 4, according to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina.
The Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down and safely move over when approaching vehicles stopped along the side of the road.
The law applies not only to emergency and law enforcement vehicles, but also to private vehicles and vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights. That includes fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks and construction and maintenance vehicles.
Romaine said the initiative combined enforcement with an effort to educate motorists and protect first responders, construction workers and other people working along roadways.
“This initiative went far beyond enforcing the law, it was about educating drivers on why the Move Over Law matters,” Catalina said. “Moving over is about safety and saving lives.”
Catalina urged motorists to remain focused on the road, avoid distractions and comply with the law when approaching stopped vehicles.
