BOISE – On average, an emergency responder is struck and killed at the roadside every other week. According to new research by AAA, confusion about “Slow Down, Move Over” (SDMO) laws may be a big part of the problem.
In 2024, 46 emergency responders were killed, including police, fire, EMTs, and tow truck operators. To help protect them, each state has a law requiring drivers who approach a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights to slow down below the speed limit – and move over at least one lane if possible.
But for many drivers, it’s an unfortunate case of either-or.
“Both parts of ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ are important. Slowing down creates extra time and lowers impact speeds, and moving over reduces the odds of striking a worker,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “We have got to aspire to better outcomes.”
AAA’s findings
While nearly two-thirds of drivers slowed down or moved over, The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s research finds that 36% of drivers did neither. And there was significant confusion about tow trucks as well, with just 58% of drivers slowing down or moving over for them.
“For more than 20 years, AAA has championed ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ laws in every state, yet we are still losing far too many roadside heroes in the line of duty,” said Gene Boehm, President and CEO of AAA National. “Awareness alone isn’t enough. Drivers need to understand what these laws require and why they matter.”
Many drivers said they slow down and move over – far more than actually do based on the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s review of traffic camera footage. And while 66% of all drivers know that such laws exist, many couldn’t explain what it does or whether their state has one (it does).
Recommendations
AAA encourages traffic safety partners to discuss the effectiveness of current SDMO laws and provide greater clarity of how they work and how they save lives. Documenting near misses and injuries at the roadside can further demonstrate that lives and quality of life hang in the balance.