New York’s “Move Over Law” is expanding this week amid several alarming national statistics.

The legislation was first enacted in 2010 to prevent crashes with emergency vehicles that were stopped on the side of the road. The expansion will now have drivers slow down and change lanes, if possible, when driving by any vehicle that is stopped.

According to AAA, 125 police officers, 123 tow operators and 250 highway workers were struck and killed by drivers on the side of roads from 2015 to 2021.

Karen Torres’ father died in 2006 when she says a cement truck driver got distracted and ran over him while he was filling potholes on Sunrise Highway in Eastport.

“We have truly become blind to what’s right outside our windshield,” Torres says. “That, of course, is highway workers and other motorists.”

The expansion goes into effect on Wednesday.

The penalty for failing to slow down and move over is $150 for first time offenders and two points on their license.