Legislation requiring motorists to exercise caution when approaching disabled vehicles parked on the shoulder of controlled access highways or parkways is now headed for Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk for approval.
The expanded provision, backed by AAA, is an addition to New York’s existing ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ law and is intended to further protect stranded vehicles on the state’s roadways.
The legislation requires drivers practice due care to avoid collision with any vehicle that is parked, stopped, or standing on the shoulder of a parkway or controlled-access highway.
This measure broadens the scope of the current law enacted in 2010, which mandates that drivers slow down and, if possible, change lanes when encountering vehicles with flashing lights, such as police cars, tow trucks, construction vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances.
Upon the Governor’s signature, the revised law will take effect in 180 days, setting forth enhanced safety guidelines for drivers when encountering disabled vehicles on the state’s highways and parkways.
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