The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (October 17, 2024) – With National Move Over Day occurring this Saturday, AAA is underscoring the need for drivers to slow down and ‘move over,’ when approaching first responders, emergency roadside workers and disabled motorists at the roadside at all hours, but especially as the days grow shorter. Recent statistics indicate that more than 75% of all roadside deaths, where the victim was outside of a disabled vehicle, occurred after dark.
According to data* analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 2,000 people were killed outside of the vehicle, in roadside crashes over the five-year period from 2017-2021, and nearly 1,500 of those deaths occurred after dark.
“With the darkest days of the year ahead, this is exceptionally troubling,” said Morgan Dean, AAA Mid-Atlantic Spokesperson for Virginia. “Move Over laws are intended to ensure that first responders working at the roadside can provide emergency services to those in need without risk to themselves or those they are trying to help. We are asking everyone to adjust their driving behaviors accordingly.”
In Virginia, 30 people were killed outside of a vehicle in roadside crashes between 1017 and 2011 – 21 of them after dark. Another four of the victims were killed in the dawn/dusk time period.
‘Move Over’ Laws
Move Over laws exist in all 50 states. Despite the nationwide presence of Move Over laws, data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that among drivers who do not comply with Move Over laws at all times:
- 42% thought this behavior was somewhat or not dangerous at all to roadside emergency workers. This demonstrates that drivers may not realize how risky it is for those working or stranded along highways and roads closed to moving traffic.
- Nearly a quarter of those surveyed (23%) are unaware of the Move Over law in the state where they live.
In Virginia, polling found 28% of respondents said they were unsure if there was a move over law in place or thought there was ‘no’ Move Over law in place.
, updated in 2023, requires drivers to slow down and when possible, move over a lane, away from first responders, tow truck drivers and/or disabled vehicles at the roadside, displaying hazard lights/emergency flashers, flares or emergency signs.The law in Virginia
Those who don’t move over could be charged with a traffic infraction, which carries a fine of up to $250. Drivers who fail to move over or proceed with caution when passing emergency vehicles, with their emergency lights activated, could be charged with reckless driving which carries a punishment of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
AAA Study Examines Characteristics of Fatal Roadside Worker Crashes
A study released earlier this year by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals a disturbing picture of the dangers faced by those working on the side of the road, and the numbers may be getting worse.
AAA Foundation researchers combed through diverse information sources and uncovered 123 roadside assistance providers killed by passing vehicles between 2015 and 2021 – nearly four times more than reported.
This grim figure dwarfs the approximate 34 noted in national crash data. The discrepancy is due to a persistent failure of state crash report forms to capture that crash victims were roadside assistance providers and were instead often recorded as “pedestrians.” While yearly total traffic fatalities increased significantly over the study period, the data suggest that roadside assistance provider fatalities increased even more.
“This is a disturbing reality for roadside assistance providers, including tow truck drivers, mobile mechanics, emergency roadside technicians, and safety service patrols who put themselves at risk every day to help others,” said Charles “Raymond” Elkins, AAA’s Richmond Fleet Manager.“Many of these crashes can be avoided if drivers focus on driving and observe the law by slowing down and moving over when they see roadside assistance providers performing their duties.”
