Move-over law to include tow trucks

A new provision of New York State's move-over law starts Sunday, State Police said.

The law that requires motorists to move over a lane when approaching flashing police lights will include the flashing amber lights of tow trucks and other emergency-type vehicles, police said Tuesday in a news release.

The law originally took effect Jan. 1 of this year and was designed to protect police and other law-enforcement officers who typically pull over other motorists or stop to help.

When it isn't safe to move over a lane, drivers must slow down.

Starting Sunday, the law includes protection for drivers of tow trucks and other emergency-type vehicles, including road crews, State Police said.

State Police joined forces with Department of Transportation workers and tow truck operators in a news conference Tuesday morning at a Clifton Park rest stop to publicize the new phase of the law.

Included at the news conference were DOT Executive Commissioner Stanley Gee, Tom Brennan, president of Empire State Towing & Recovery Association, and State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico.