GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES STATE POLICE, STATE AGENCIES PARTNER FOR CRASH RESPONDER SAFETY WEEK

Governor Hochul today announced New York State Police will be partnering with the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority to support Crash Responder Safety Week. The initiative will run from Monday, November 18, 2024, through Friday, November 22, 2024.

This year's theme is "Responder Ahead! Reduce Your Speed as You Proceed" to remind drivers to slow down and safely move over for emergency vehicles stopped on or next to a roadway.

The recent tragedies involving the deaths of two Thruway Authority maintenance employees in 2024 underscores the dangers that emergency and highway workers face each day. It is a matter of life and death -motorists must slow down and move over when they see red, blue, or yellow lights on the side of the highway," said Governor Hochul. "State Troopers will be out in force, patrolling statewide to ensure motorists are obeying the law."

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "Highways are a dangerous work environment for those who fix and maintain the roads, and those who respond to emergencies. Initiatives such as this are imperative to hopefully motivate people the next time they drive --- to slow down and move over when they come across an emergency vehicle or maintenance crew on the side of the road. We want drivers to remember to put safety first and that the choices you make behind the wheel can have deadly consequences."

During the week-long initiative, the primary focus will be on the enforcement of the Move Over Law in recognition of multiple, serious incidents that have occurred recently involving members of the State Police, DOT and the Thruway Authority, including one that tragically took the life of Thruway Authority employee Stephen Ebling in Western New York.

The Move Over Law requires all drivers to slow down and move over when approaching all stopped vehicles, including law enforcement officers, emergency responders, construction and maintenance crews, tow truck operators and anyone else working along the roadway.

Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, "The Thruway Authority is still in a state of mourning after losing two of its dedicated colleagues, with another critically injured in the line of duty in the last six months. These tragedies are entirely preventable. All drivers must slow down and safely move over when approaching stopped vehicles on the side of the highway. Our lives are in your hands."

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "The men and women who work along our highways and bridges literally put their lives at risk to help keep us safe and assist us when we are most in need. The results of carelessness on our highways can have devastating consequences as we recently saw with the tragic death of the Thruway Authority's Stephen Ebling. We must do everything we can to help keep our workers safe and ensure that they too get to go home to their loved ones at the end of the day. Safety is everyone's responsibility, and I urge motorists to remain alert; pay attention when you are driving and put your phone down and please, move over when they see highway workers or emergency responders at work."

The New York State Police, Thruway Authority, Department of Transportation, and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee recommend these safe driving tips:

• As soon as you see lights, vests, or reflectors, check traffic around you, SLOW DOWN and MOVE OVER if safe to do so.
• Drivers MUST use due care when approaching an emergency vehicle or hazard vehicle including police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, construction and maintenance vehicles and tow trucks. In 2023, the Move Over Law was expanded, requiring drivers to exercise due care to avoid all vehicles stopped on the roadway, including by changing lanes.
• The Move Over Law applies to both sides of the roadway, not just the shoulder on the right.