Temporary roadside informational signs are being placed in East Hampton Town to raise awareness and enforce the New York State Move Over Law, which aims to protect law enforcement officers, emergency workers, tow and service vehicle operators, and other workers stopped along roadways.
With the town’s roads crowded during the summer season, motorists are reminded that they are required to reduce speed and navigate carefully around emergency vehicles displaying red, blue, or green lighting that are stopped on the side of the road. On roads with multiple lanes, drivers are required to move entirely out of the lane adjacent to the vehicle unless traffic or other hazards prevent them doing so safely.
Motorists are also reminded to be mindful of the blue and green lights used by volunteer or on-call firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and ocean rescue volunteers. These courtesy lights are used to request right of way when volunteers are responding to an emergency.
Blue lights are affixed to vehicles owned by a volunteer firefighter, and green lights are affixed to those owned by a member of a volunteer ambulance service and members of ocean rescue services. Red and blue lights are affixed to law enforcement vehicles.
Motorists are further asked to frequently check rear and side-view mirrors to ensure safety while alerting themselves to the presence of law enforcement officers and volunteers requesting right of way when responding to an emergency.