Close Call Means Geneseo Cops Remind Drivers of ‘Move Over Law’

GENESEO – The Geneseo Police Department reminds drivers of the ‘move over law’ after a close call on Rte. 20A (Lakeville Road).

According to Geneseo Police Chief Eric Osganian, Officer Michael Donals stopped a motor vehicle on Lakeville Road (Rte 20A) when another vehicle drove by and almost struck him.

“The vehicle that almost stuck the officer was later stopped and given a citation,” said Osganian.

The law, 1144-a, which took effect in 2011, says that on parkways and other controlled access highways with multiple lanes, when approaching an emergency vehicle that displays red and/or white emergency lighting or a hazard vehicle displaying flashing amber lighting, drivers must move from the lane immediately adjacent to the emergency or hazard vehicle, unless traffic or other hazards exist to prevent doing so safely.

According to MoveOverAmerica.com, more than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America’s highways. A 2007 coalition of traffic safety and law enforcement groups launched a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect emergency personnel along roadsides.

The coalition cites a poll conducted among 625 registered voters, saying that its margin of error is 4 percent, that concludes: 71 percent of Americans have not heard of ‘Move Over’ laws; 86 percent support enacting ‘Move Over’ laws in all 50 states; and 90 percent believe traffic stops and roadside emergencies are dangerous for law enforcement and first responders.