New York State Laws About Passing Garbage Trucks

“Slow Down to Get Around” is the name of a national movement dedicated to increasing the safety of garbage collectors. Over the years, a disproportionate number of sanitation workers were killed on the road by speeding motorists. As of 2024, approximately half of the states have passed laws in some form requiring motorists to be extra diligent when passing garbage trucks on the road.

In 2016, New York State also passed a law increasing safety measures for garbage collectors. They did so by amending a prior law that was enacted in 2012. The 2012 law required motorists driving in the right lane to move to the left lane when passing emergency vehicles (VTL 1144aa) or hazard vehicles (VTL 1144ab) operating on the shoulder. “Hazard vehicles” are generally understood to mean tow trucks and the like. It did not include garbage trucks. In 2016, the New York Assembly modified the meaning of hazard vehicles to include garbage trucks. Thus, at this time, the law in New York requires motorists to treat garbage trucks on the shoulder of the road the same way they would treat a police car on the shoulder of the road.

A conviction of this violation will put two points on your driving record. The fine is up to the judge with the maximum being $150 + $93 mandatory surcharge. With this violation appearing on your driving abstract, you can expect your insurance rates to go up. In 2024, another law (VTL 1144ad) was passed requiring motorists to move over for any vehicle parked on the side of the road. For all practical purposes, this renders moot previous laws about moving over for specific types of violations. However you can still be charged under those violations if the ticketing officer wants to bring attention to the court for what type of vehicle the motorist failed to move over for.

If you were stopped and cited with failing to move over, it may make sense to fight it. The attorneys at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office have a lot of experience with this type of violation. We have been able to obtain dismissals for a lot of such cases. Our firm handles cases across the state, including Western New York, North Country, New York City, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Catskill Mountains, Capital District, Southern Tier, Hudson Valley, and Mohawk Valley. Consultations are free.