Nationwide “Slow Down, Move Over” laws have been in place in most states for nearly 20 years. Yet, according to the National Safety Council, 33 percent of Americans are unfamiliar with these laws. Furthermore, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 42% of drivers who do not comply with Move Over Laws thought this behavior was not dangerous to roadside emergency workers. Many drivers may not realize how risky it is for those working or stranded along highways and roads close to moving traffic. At Southside Wrecking Services, when our employees respond to calls for accident recovery or motor fluid spill responses, the Slow Down, Move Over law should keep them safe. 

Simply put, the “Slow Down, Move Over” law requires drivers to move over one lane when possible if there is an emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder of the highway. If the traffic is too heavy or you cannot move over, the law requires drivers to slow down below the speed limits and to be prepared to stop.

Each state has a variation of this law, including different types of vehicles and varying fines. Every state includes protection for Emergency Vehicles and Tow Trucks. 

Specifically, Georgia’s Move Over Law applies to many types of stopped vehicles:

  • Patrol Vehicles
  • Tow trucks
  • Fire trucks
  • Ambulances
  • Maintenance vehicles 
  • Recovery vehicles
  • Utility vehicles
  • Other law enforcement vehicles

 

Penalty for Violating Georgia’s Move Over Law

A move-over conviction can come with significant consequences. Usually, a fine of $500, although individual municipalities can, and do, add additional fees. The violation also adds 3 points to your driving record.

But failure to obey the Move Over Law can lead to more severe consequences than fines.

According to the 2021 nationwide statistics from The Emergency Responder Safety Institute, 65 people were struck and killed while on the side of the highway:

30 Law Enforcement Officers
9  EMS Workers
22 Tow Truck Drivers
2  Roadside Service Technicians
2  DOT workers

These sobering statistics demonstrate how dangerous it is for individuals who regularly work along the shoulders of our busy and congested roads. That equates to more than one person in this line of work killed each week, struck while assisting motorists. All tow truck operators and emergency responders deserve protection. We can avoid deaths like these if drivers slow down and move over to give these people room to work safely.

According to AAA, it’s not just tow providers and other emergency responders being killed on the side of the road. Since 2015, over 1,600 people have been struck and killed outside a disabled vehicle.

At Southside Wrecking Services, it is our pleasure to provide roadside assistance, accident recovery, or spill response for our clients in need in the Atlanta area. At the same time, we are also aware of how dangerous that assistance can be, which is why we are passionate about the Move Over law. We want to protect our employees. We believe they should never feel at risk while working in this environment.

Join us in keeping our roadside responders safe by following these tips:

* Pay attention and avoid distractions. Focus on your 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.
* Slow down and move over if you see anything on the shoulder ahead. Give them space to work or respond to an emergency.

Following these tips and obeying the “Slow Down, Move Over” law will make our roads safer for all who drive or work on them.