CHENANGO COUNTY – Drivers in New York State have taken heed to a 2011 law with stiff penalties for failing to yeild to authorities, tow truck operators and emergency personnel working on the side of the roadway; but last week Governor Andrew Cuomo signed new legislation to expand the state’s “Move-Over” Law to include volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

Specifically, the Ambrose-Searles Move Over Act requires drivers to reduce speed when approaching vehicles stopped on the road while in the course of their jobs, and to move to the next lane if possible. The law was named after two law enforcement officers: Trooper Robert W. Ambrose died on the Thruway in Yonkers in December 2002 and Onondaga County Deputy Glenn M. Searles was killed in November 2003 when the driver of a minivan struck him on I-481 in DeWitt.

According to the governor’s office, the measure requires drivers to slow down and move over a lane when approaching a vehicle with flashing blue or green lights that are operated by volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers involved in a roadside emergency.