TOWN OF PENDLETON, NY - Ever since the new version of the state's "Move Over" law went into effect this year, Police have issued thousands of tickets.
Wednesday morning, two Niagara County Highway Department employees escaped serious injuries when a driver failed to move over, and slammed into the back of their truck.
Sergeant Kevin Locicero told 2 On Your Side the accident happened just before 9am. Locicero said the driver of the pick-up truck, later identified as Bradley Braun, was heading east on Bear Ridge Road. Minutes before the crash, the two men were filling pot holes along the road. Locicero said Braun claimed that his windshield was fogged up, and he didn't see the truck.
An investigation is underway to see if Braun violated the new provision of the "Move Over" law that now includes county vehicles when their amber lights are on.
"The Highway Department is no different once they have their lights on. You know people need to watch what they're doing, and pull to, you know safely pull to the left or pull to the right depending on what the situation is," said Locicero.
Since the beginning of the year New York State Police say they have issued 2,165 tickets to drivers for failing to move over for both emergency vehicles, and vehicles with amber lights. In 2011 they issued 13,691 tickets for just emergency vehicles alone.
The Niagara County Sheriff's Office has issued 2 tickets so far this year under the new law. Last year 37 drivers were tickets for just emergency vehicles.
Bradley Braun was taken to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital with a broken arm. So far he's been charged with having an obstructed view. The two county employees were shook up, but okay.