The AAA has stressed the importance of the “Move Over” law to protect those who regularly work along the shoulders of America’s busy and congested roads.
As of August this year, 14 tow providers have been killed while helping others at the roadside in 2021.
“Deaths like these can be avoided if drivers slow down and move over to give these people room to work safely,” said Marshall Doney, AAA President and CEO.
“We can’t stress enough how important it is to pay attention so you have time to change lanes when you see AAA, an emergency responder, or simply anybody along the side of the road.”
AAA and other traffic safety advocates have led the way in getting Move Over laws passed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The law requires motorists to move over one lane or slow down when approaching an incident where tow providers, police, firefighters or emergency medical service crews are working at the roadside.
Yet data from a recent survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that nearly a quarter of respondents were unaware of the Move Over law in the state where they live.
Among those who were aware of their state’s Move Over laws, about 15 percent said they did not understand the potential consequences for violating the law.
