109 stops made in 'Move Over' checks, Southampton police say

The Southampton Town Police Department said it pulled over 109 vehicles on Wednesday to raise awareness about a state law mandating that drivers slow down and move over a lane when approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

Working with New York State Police, Southampton officers monitored vehicles near a decoy tow truck and pulled over drivers that did not obey the state’s “Move Over” law, Southampton Town Police Lt. Susan Ralph said. The law, which was passed in 2011 and expanded in 2016, covers tow trucks and other emergency vehicles, including those of police, firefighters, ambulance workers and state Department of Transportation employees.

Police issued 88 warnings, 38 tickets and 28 summonses at multiple locations, including on Sunrise Highway and State Route 24, Ralph said. They also made seven arrests — six for driving with a suspended license and one for unlawful possession of marijuana — she said.

Southampton Town Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said department officials planned the initiative for the beginning of the summer season, when local traffic hits peak congestion.

“This is a matter of concern to law enforcement, firefighters, construction workers, tow-car operators and anybody who is assisting and conducting business on the side of the road,” Skrynecki said.

The operation came less than a week after Skrynecki’s vehicle was rear-ended while pulling over to help a disabled truck and two weeks after another town police car was struck by a vehicle.

More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been fatally struck by vehicles since 1999, Ralph said.