Law aims to protect cops on the road

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - There is a new law on the books aimed at protecting police officers on the roads.

You know when you are driving along and you see a police car on the side of the road pulling someone over? Well, according to a new law, you will be legally obligated to move over or slow.

It's called the "Ambrose-Searles Move Over Act." It's named after two officers who lost their lives on New York State roadways while serving the public. The purpose is to protect law enforcement and emergency officials.

The law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching a parked authorized vehicle with emergency lights flashing. Senator William Stachowski sponsored the new legislation.

Sen. Stachowski said, "If you see an officer with a vehicle pulled over, obey the new law and pull over or at least slow down if there is no place to pull over. Many times there are near misses. Sometimes it's people just not paying attention, other times as we were talking earlier, people see the police lights and they are mesmerized and they go towards the lights instead of trying to move away and give us enough room to work."

If you break this new law it will cost you two points on your license and a fine. The new law takes effect January 1st.