Slow Down to Get Around is a New York State Law
County Waste and Recycling of Montgomery, New York, reminds motorists that slowing down and passing collection employees cautiously is not only good safety, it is New York state law.
Distracted and impatient drivers create dangerous situations on the roadways as they encounter garbage and recycling collection workers leading several states to enact Slow Down to Get Around laws.
In November 2016, the Slow Down to Get Around law went into effect in New York State and requires drivers to slow down when passing waste and recycling collection vehicles when the vehicle’s safety lights are flashing.
“Now, all motorists are to exercise caution and must slow down to get around waste and recycling vehicles, which will save lives and prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries,” said Steve Changaris, New York State chapter manager for the National Waste & Recycling Association when the law passed. “Our focus now turns to raising awareness of the new law and educating New Yorkers of the dangers that collection workers face daily on our roadways.”
Slow Down to Get Around is a national safety campaign to remind motorists to slow down around collection vehicles. Being struck by a vehicle is a leading, and completely preventable, cause of death for waste and recycling collection employees
The National Waste & Recycling Association program “Slow Down to Get Around” is simple and encourages drivers to take these simple steps:
- Slow down when approaching a collection vehicle;
- Look for workers before passing a garbage truck;
- Check for traffic approaching from the opposite direction before passing the truck; and,
- Avoid distractions – cell phones, adjusting radio stations, eating, etc. - when driving near a garbage truck.
The Slow Down to Get Around program was developed by the Association with Rumpke Consolidated, an Association member in the Midwest, and the McNeilus Companies, an Association member that manufactures garbage trucks. The program was created following two tragic accidents resulting in the death of one Rumpke employee and severe injuries to a second. Both accidents were due to careless driving by motorists.
County Waste and Recycling provides residential garbage and recycling services, commercial roll off service, industrial waste removal, and construction and demolition waste collection services.
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