AAA Research shows Drivers fall Short on Roadside Safety

PORTLAND, Ore., – Ahead of National Slow Down Move Over Day this Saturday, October 17, a recent survey from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds there’s a gap between driver awareness and roadside behavior. While more than 90% of drivers reported moving over and/or slowing down the last time they passed a disabled vehicle, tow truck, or police car on the shoulder, previous AAA FTS research found that only 64% of vehicles subject to Slow Down, Move Over laws were observed changing lanes and/or reducing speed, and 36% did neither.

Here is a link to b-roll video featuring AAA roadside responders.

Here are links to b-roll video shot on I-205 in Portland:

Recent roadside fatalities show the deadly consequences when drivers fail to slow down, move over, and stay alert. From 2019 to 2023, more than 2,100 people were struck and killed in the U.S. while stranded or working on the roadside. In 2025, AAA responded to more than 30 million roadside events near active traffic, and 15 service providers were killed in Slow Down, Move Over-related incidents. The danger is compounded by risky driving behaviors: six of those cases involved hit-and-run drivers, and five involved impaired drivers.

“Slow Down, Move Over laws protect stranded drivers, first responders, and roadside workers who often perform their jobs just inches from fast-moving traffic. When drivers fail to slow down and move over, they put these roadside heroes in grave danger, and some pay the ultimate price,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “All of us need to do our part so that everyone working along the roadside can return home safely at the end of the day.”

Additional Survey Findings

  • Support is high. When Slow Down, Move Over laws were explained, 90% of drivers supported them, and only 2% opposed them.
  • Awareness gaps remain. Only 66% of drivers believed their state law required special action near a stopped police car.

Closing the Gap

The findings point to the need for public education across multiple channels. Drivers were most likely to say they would learn about new traffic laws from road signs, but many recalled hearing about them from other sources.  The data also suggests that drivers unfamiliar with Slow Down, Move Over laws may respond to different outreach methods, reinforcing the need for awareness campaigns, driver education, enforcement messaging, and community outreach.

Honoring Those Lost

This week in Chattanooga, Tennessee, families and colleagues will gather during the International Towing and Recovery Museum’s annual Museum Weekend to honor those lost at the Wall of the Fallen. Each name represents a life cut short — and a reminder that every driver’s choice to slow down, move over, and stay alert can help prevent another tragedy.

Oregon’s Slow Down Move Over law:

AAA advocated for the passage of Oregon’s first Slow Down Move Over law in 2010, requiring drivers to move over a lane or slow down five miles below the speed limit for an emergency vehicle, a roadside assistance vehicle, a tow vehicle or ambulance, when it is displaying warning lights. In 2017, AAA and other traffic safety advocates worked to strengthen the law to include any vehicle stopped displaying hazard lights. This law went into effect on January 1, 2018.

Penalties for violating Oregon’s slow down/move over law include a fine of $265, or $525 if the violation occurs in a safety corridor, school zone, or work zone. More severe penalties, such as misdemeanor or felony charges and jail time, are possible if the violation leads to injury or property damage. https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ORS_811.147

What Drivers Should Do

AAA urges drivers to slow down early, move over when safe, and pass with extra caution whenever they approach flashing lights, hazard lights, or any stopped vehicle on the roadside.

Additional recommendations include:

Stay focused and drive sober. Keep your phone out of reach, watch the road ahead, and never drive impaired or drowsy.

Slow down early. Ease off the accelerator as soon as you see flashing lights, hazard lights, or a stopped vehicle, and be prepared to pass by with caution.

Move over when it is safe. On multi-lane roads, change lanes to give emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility vehicles, service vehicles, and disabled vehicles more room.

If you cannot move over, slow down and pass with caution. Reduce your speed to a safe, reasonable pace and proceed carefully unless directed otherwise by emergency personnel.

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For more info go www.AAA.com.  AAA Oregon/Idaho provides more than 915,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, and is an affiliate of AAA National, serving more than 65 million members in North America.