State Police are warning drivers that the state's Move Over Law is now being expanded to include more vehicles. Matt Hunter has the details.

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CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- Tow truck operator Doug Rowland said,"When you're working to hook that vehicle up or load that vehicle on a tow truck, if you've got traffic passing by you, it's hazardous, it's dangerous, and it's one more worry."

After 12 years of operating tow trucks in the Capital Region, Doug Rowland is well aware of the dangers that exist on the road. While he's never been in an accident on the job, two of his co-workers have been.

"It's unfortunate," Rowland said. "It's a risk that's out there, and there's not a lot you can do except be vigilant and keep your eye out for oncoming traffic and your eye on what you're doing for the same time, so it's definitely a challenge."

In an effort to reduce that challenge and keep workers like Rowland safe, New York State lawmakers have amended the year-old Move Over Law. Effective Jan. 1, the law -- which already protects emergency vehicles like police cars and ambulances -- will require motorists to move over or at the very least slow down when they pass a maintenance, utility vehicle or tow truck on the side of the road.

State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico said, "All drivers need to understand that they have a responsibility to keep roads safe. Slowing down and moving over for emergency and hazard vehicles on the highway needs to be one of those responsibilities."

According to officials, the New York State DOT has 100 work zones set up across the state each day. Last year alone, there were 100 accidents or intrusions involving drivers at those work zones.

Outside the Exit 9 rest stop is a memorial honoring the five local DOT workers who have lost their lives in highway accidents in the past 42 years - accidents officials say didn't have to happen.

D'Amico said, "What this new law is all about is that no more new names need to be inscribed on that memorial."

In the past year, troopers issued roughly 16,000 citations for the Move Over Law in its current form.
Workers like Rowland say they're grateful the new law is now designed to keep them out of harm's way.

"You can't legislate common sense, but certainly we can raise the awareness of it, and hopefully by raising awareness we can reduce the number of incidents out there of workers being struck," Rowland said.

Enforcement will be a big part of the amended law. Anyone caught violating it could face a $275 fine, three points on their license and potentially jail.