First responders ask motorists to "Slow Down, Move Over"

AAA, the nation’s largest organization for motorists, today joined with leading representatives for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and state highway workers to announce the start of a year-long public information and legislative campaign aimed at reducing deaths and injuries among roadside workers and stranded motorists.

One aspect of the effort is the enactment in all 50 states of “Move Over” laws that cover tow trucks and other roadside assistance vehicles in addition to law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances. These laws require motorists to change lanes to provide an empty travel lane between their vehicle and emergency vehicles along the roadside, or to slow down while approaching—and passing—a traffic incident, if moving to another lane is not possible.

For additional information on the project, visit the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition web site at http://timcoalition.org/.