Ignorance of ‘move over’ traffic law is costing lives

AAA, first responders and traffic safety advocates are working together to raise awareness around a little-known law intended to protect those responding to emergencies along the roadside. In the past six weeks there have been at least four deaths nationwide — two tow truck drivers, including one who worked for AAA, a firefighter and a disabled motorist changing a flat — of people working along the roadside when they were struck and killed by motorists.

Even though there is a “move over” law in all 50 states, few people are aware of it, understand it or abide by it — and the consequences have been tragic. This is not just about avoiding a costly ticket.

It’s about saving lives by changing behavior so drivers simply move over when anyone is either working or disabled on the side of the road.

For this reason, AAA and its traffic safety partners will be aggressively increasing public education efforts through a variety of communication channels in the coming weeks and months.

What is the law?

“Move over” laws exist in all 50 states. Although they differ slightly, generally speaking, most state laws require drivers on any roadway of two lanes or more in one direction to slow down and move over a lane if possible whenever there is an emergency vehicle with flashing lights such as a police, fire, construction or tow vehicle working along the roadside.

It is intended to ensure that all motorists give emergency responders, tow truck drivers and those working along the roadside adequate room to safely do their jobs with decreased risk of injury or death.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol joined forces with members of the 6-State Trooper Project enforcing and raising awareness about the “move over” law from July 18-24. The high-visibility campaign included patrols in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

During the initiative, Ohio troopers issued 546 “move over” citations and educated motorists about the state’s law.

Sadly, many drivers still routinely ignore or don’t know about “move over” laws, failing to protect roadside workers by creating potentially deadly situations.

Ohio’s “move over” law applies to all interstates and state highways. It can be enforced by any law-enforcement officer, including state highway patrol officers, local police and county sheriff ’s deputies.