The New York State Police will target speeding and aggressive drivers during a special six-day traffic enforcement initiative, officials announced this week.
The “Fall Safe Speed” enforcement campaign, which started Tuesday, Sept. 22, runs through Sunday, Sept. 27. Troopers will also actively patrol highways and will target drivers who violate New York’s Move Over Law, according to an announcement.
Speeding is listed as a contributing factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes in New York State. According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research at the University at Albany, in 2024 there were a total of 315 fatal crashes and 12,232 people were injured in New York State in speed-related crashes.
During this Fall Safe Speed enforcement period, troopers will be using both marked state police vehicles and concealed identity traffic enforcement vehicles as part of the operation, officials said.
Officials said the concealed vehicles allow troopers to more easily identify motorists who are violating laws while driving, adding that these vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
Officials said troopers will heavily enforce speeding by all vehicle types throughout the week in addition to normal year-round enforcement. Troopers will also be watching for other traffic violations, including distracted or impaired drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers that are violating New York’s Move Over law, the announcement said.
New York’s Move Over Law requires drivers to safely switch lanes or slow down when approaching any vehicle stopped on the side of the road.
On multi-lane highways and parkways, drivers must move from the lane immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle, provided it is safe to do so.
If changing lanes is unsafe or if you are driving on a single-lane road, drivers must significantly reduce their speed to a safe level below the posted limit.
Authorities originally created the law for emergency and hazard vehicles like police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and tow trucks. They expanded the law to protect all vehicles stopped on the shoulder or roadway, including disabled passenger cars.
Move Over law fines reach up to $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense and up to $450 for a third offense within an 18-month period, plus a mandatory state surcharge of up to $93. A violation counts as a moving violation and adds two points to your driver’s license.