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New law mandates safe passing of stopped emergency vehicles

By Howard B. Owens

Starting New Year's Day, if you see an emergency vehicle with lights flashing, proceed with caution.

Of course, that's always been true -- if you have any thought of your own safety or the safety of emergency personnel -- but now, failure to do so could lead to a hefty fine.

Sheriff Gary Maha issued a press release today drawing attention to a new law that makes it mandatory for drivers to move over to the traffic lane furthermost from a stopped emergency vehicle that has flashing lights.

On single-lane roads, drivers are required to slow down and provide plenty of distance when passing stopped emergency vehicles.

While not specifying the amount of the fine, Maha said it is substantial and drivers will also get points on their record.

The law, called the "Move Over Act," was passed by the state Legislature in response to a pair of fatal accidents involving law enforcement officers. 

One accident took the life of Trooper Robert Ambrose and the other of Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy Glenn Searles. 

Ambrose was killed when his patrol unit was rear-ended on the Thruway in Yonkers. Upon impact, his car burst into flames. The driver who struck his car was drunk and traveling at 80 mph. 

Searles was killed while assisting a stranded motorist. Another driver lost control of his car, pinning Searles against his patrol vehicle.

Maha: "Every driver has a vested interest in cooperatively keeping county roads safe. The men and women of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office remain determined to impartially and respectfully enforce the law to protect life and property of all citizens."

Doug Yeomans

Once again a new law that didn't need to be passed. I can think of 2 laws that already pertain:

1. Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle
2. Reckless driving:

I'm sure there are half of a dozen other violations that could also be used. I had Sheriff pull me over on Rt 19 north of Brockport a few years ago for speeding. Yes, I was way over the limit. After explaining to the Trooper that my speedometer didn't work (bad gauge cluster) and proved it to him on the spot, he issued me a ticket for faulty equipment instead of the speeding ticket. I already had a gauge cluster ordered for the truck ($400) so he was nice enough to give me a ticket that didn't carry any points associated with a guilty plea.

My point being, there are already laws that can apply to every and any situation. New, redundant laws just cost money and there's nothing positive gained by passing them.

Dec 31, 2010, 6:05am Permalink
tom hunt

Another example of a feel good law. This was recently discussed on this forum. Private citizens take up the banner and force through a law after some tragedy occurs in their lives on the roadways or their homes that could have been avoid by using common sense. Law makers gladly go along because it makes them look like they really care for their constituents and voters. This leaves the law enforcement community scratching their heads trying to figure out how and when to comply with the law.

Dec 31, 2010, 9:54am Permalink

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