New York 'Move Over' law now includes sanitation vehicles

Drivers, beware when passing garbage or recycling trucks on the road. 

Starting November 1st, New York State's 'Move Over' law includes sanitation vehicles. The law already is in place for emergency vehicles and construction crews.

#MoveOver law change to include sanitation trucks is no joke. These pics provided by Modern Disposal show careless drivers. Dangerous! @wkbw pic.twitter.com/QaZRTysOOu

— Thuy Lan Nguyen (@ThuyLanWKBW) November 1, 2016

Drivers need to slow down, or stop if necessary when approaching a garbage or recycling truck on the side of the road. If on a two-lane road, drivers may pass the vehicle in the left lane. If it is a one lane road, drivers need to stop and wait until it is safe to proceed before cutting into the oncoming traffic lane to pass.

"It's all about getting people home safe," said Jeff Schneggenburger, traffic safety manager for Modern Disposal. Schneggenburger said he stresses the importance of situational awareness, because sanitation workers have to pay attention to drivers on the road in addition to completing their job duties. 

Drivers need to give workers behind the trucks a safety buffer zone of about 50 feet.

If caught in violation of the 'Move Over' law, drivers can see a $400 penalty and three points on their license. 

The law was put into effect after a downstate garbage worker in Tioga County was killed while emptying a bin into a garbage truck.

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly rode along with a driver from the Modern Corporation in Niagara County to see how dangerous the job can be along higher-speed rural roads.