AAA, KSP reminding driver to ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ on National Move Over Day today

Today is National Move Over Day and AAA is partnering with the Kentucky State Police (KSP) to remind drivers to slow down and move over when approaching first responders, emergency roadside workers, utility workers, road maintenance vehicles and disabled vehicles at the roadside.

“While it’s important to slow down and move over all year long for those at the roadside, it’s an especially timely reminder this time of year as the days begin to get shorter,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs manager, AAA Blue Grass. “Recent statistics indicate the wide majority of all roadside fatalities occur after dark.”

“When you move over, you’re protecting the lives of everyone who works on or uses our roadways,” said KSP Trooper Josh Satterly. “Moving over is the law and it’s the right thing to do. At the end of the day, we want everyone to make it home safely to their families.”

Kentucky’s expanded Move Over Law

Move Over laws exist in all 50 states. Kentucky has had a Slow Down, Move Over law on the books since 2003. The original version of the law requires motorists to slow down, and if safe to do so, move over a lane when encountering roadside workers, including tow drivers, law enforcement and other emergency and first responders, as well as road maintenance, public utility, and state, county, or municipal service vehicles and equipment.

During the 2024 legislative session, AAA worked with legislators to expand the existing Move Over law to also include disabled vehicles displaying some type of warning signal, such as flashers or emergency flares. The expanded law went into effect on July 15, 2024.

Drivers who violate Kentucky’s Move Over law can face a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 1,900 people were killed outside of the vehicle in roadside crashes over the five-year period from 2017-2021, and nearly 1,500 of those deaths occurred after dark.

KSP crash data shows that in Kentucky alone, during the five-year period ending October 16, 2024, there were 29 people killed and 415 injured in crashes where the victim was either leaving or approaching their vehicles.

Roadside Workers at Risk

Move Over laws are intended to ensure that first responders working at the roadside can provide emergency services to those in need without risk to themselves or those they are trying to help. AAA and KSP are asking all motorists to slow down when approaching roadside workers and, if safe to do so, move over a lane until past the incident.

“It scares me when I’m out there working on the roadside, with my back to the traffic. You don’t know what could happen. You’re busy doing what you’re doing, trying to keep the member happy and keep them safe,” said Jacob Nash, Emergency Roadside Service Technician, AAA Blue Grass. “What scares me is someone hitting the truck and then it slams into the vehicle I’m working on. I don’t get scared very often, but when my back is to the traffic and it’s coming by like a tornado coming to you, I get scared. It would scare anybody.”

When asked what he would say to motorists if he could, Nash didn’t hesitate: “Keep the tablets and the phones put up when you’re driving.”

In a study released earlier this year, AAA Foundation researchers combed through diverse information sources and uncovered that 123 roadside assistance providers were killed by passing vehicles between 2015 and 2021―nearly four times more than reported by national crash data.

The discrepancy is due to a persistent failure of state crash report forms to capture that crash victims were roadside assistance providers, instead often recording these fatalities simply as as “pedestrians.” While yearly total traffic fatalities increased significantly over the study period, the data suggest that roadside assistance provider fatalities increased even more.

The study also found:

• The vast majority of these deaths occurred on Interstate highways or other high-speed limited-access highways.

• Most crashes occurred during good weather on roads that were not slippery.

• Nearly two-thirds occurred in darkness.

• Approximately one in four crashes occurred in the travel lanes of the roadway, highlighting the importance of Slow Down, Move Over laws.

• More than half of all crashes occurred when the striking driver departed the roadway and struck the roadside assistance provider on the shoulder or roadside, suggesting impairment, fatigue, or distraction could be a factor.

• More than one-third of striking drivers who were tested for alcohol were alcohol-positive; however, nearly half were not tested.

The Towing and Recovery Association of America believes the number of tow drivers killed to be even higher now, stating that the towing industry loses one operator in the line of duty every six days in the U.S.

Safety recommendations for drivers

While National Move Over Day acts as an important reminder to motorists to obey Move Over laws, motorists need to be aware of roadside workers and stranded motorists all year long.

Drivers can do their part in reducing the risk to those at the roadside with these tips:

• Remain alert, avoid distractions and focus on the task of driving.

• Keep an eye out for situations where emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility service vehicles or disabled vehicles are stopped on the side of the road.

• When you see these situations, always slow down and if safe to do so, move over a lane and away from the incident until past it.

• Never drive impaired or distracted.

• Stay at or below the speed limit and do not drive too fast for conditions.

• Be especially cautious when visibility is diminished by darkness or weather conditions.

AAA Blue Grass

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