Letter to the editor- Move Over Law

I agree with this letter writer from West Seneca in regards to the new Move Over Law. Standing on the side of the road writing tickets is a very dangerous practice, but I think I've discovered a way to protect the officers. Stop writing so many tickets!

Don't get me wrong. I want to see aggressive drivers or people weaving in and out of traffic ticketed. However, that's not what we have now. What we have now is a lucrative racket set up by the towns, villages, and the state itself. They set up their officers where they know people are easily tricked and pull them over for their money. It's nothing more than a shakedown and has very little to do with public safety. Most people do not want to live in a police state. Instead of pulling people over left and right, how about using the same amount of manpower to prevent crimes where crimes occur every day? The police unions should push for less ticketing and more police work. Less ticketing would mean a safer work environment for them and less harassment for us. And, oh by the way, I usually drive in the right hand lane and go 5 MPH slower than the rest of traffic . I just think the "speed traps" are another way to tax people. I'd like to see less cops on the highways and more cops in the neighborhoods...

Move Over Law leads to unsafe lane changes

As a frequent highway business traveler, I can’t help but comment on the law requiring motorists to move from the right lane, creating a one-lane buffer between traffic and a roadside incident, whether it be a police car or an emergency vehicle with flashing lights. While I understand the intent of this law, which looks out for the safety of police and others who are roadside, I am concerned with the byproduct, which is unsafe lane changes with little or no warning.

I submit to you that most accidents on a highway occur during a lane change. Typically, traffic in the left lane is moving faster than that in the right lane, so to have slower-moving vehicles suddenly switch to the left lane creates a hazardous environment. This is especially true when a tractor-trailer truck does it, because sometimes the bulk of the truck blocks your view and you don’t see the incident creating their need to change lanes.

Before the law, most competent drivers would move over when it was safe to do so out of courtesy. But now, perhaps out of fear of a ticket, vehicles do it whether it is safe to do so or not. I would be interested to see some statistics on how many accidents that never should have been were a product of this law as compared to the few incidents that happened to prompt this law. If you are off to the shoulder of a busy highway, it seems like a no-brainer that you need to stay far enough clear of the roadway to conduct your business safely. Since this law, I have seen several near-misses and have to wonder about the wisdom of it.

Chuck Kritz

West Seneca

Move Over Law leads to unsafe lane changes

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