Help Roadside Workers Return to Their Families Each Day.
AAA tow operators respond to more than 30 million calls for help each year, working on roadside shoulders that are frequently no wider than four feet.
Across the nation, one tow truck driver is killed alongside the road every six days. In addition, 23 highway workers and one law enforcement officer are killed each month while performing their duties on American roadways.
What is the Move Over law?
Move Over laws are aimed at keeping all roadside workers safe. These laws exist in all 50 states, yet fewer than 30% of Americans even know about them.
In Ohio, the law requires drivers to move over one lane when passing by any vehicle with flashing or rotating lights parked on the roadside.
Ohio’s Move Over law applies to ALL roadside workers, including tow trucks, law enforcement, emergency responders, road construction, maintenance and utility crews. It also applies to all roadways and highways in the state.
While moving over is preferable, the law recognized that sometimes it’s not safe to move over, because of traffic or weather conditions, or because a second lane doesn’t exist. In those situations, drivers should slow down and proceed with caution.
Drivers can familiarize themselves with Move Over laws across the country by visiting the AAA Digest of Motor Laws.
Partnering to Save Lives:
To help educate the public, AAA, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), and the Ohio State Highway Patrol launched a video earlier this year featuring leaders from each organization.
