The Critical Law That Most Drivers Don’t Grasp Until It’s Too Late | Carscoops

      Most drivers continue to neglect a crucial rule designed to safeguard roadside workers, as recent data reveals significant confusion and inaction.

      Only 64% of drivers either slow down or move over when approaching roadside incidents.

      Tow truck operators are particularly at risk due to inadequate enforcement measures.

      While many drivers do change lanes, they often fail to slow down, overlooking half of the law's requirements.

      The guideline is simple: slow down and move over. However, for many drivers, this straightforward instruction seems to be in a foreign language. A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) highlights the general lack of understanding about this critical rule.

      All states have laws pertaining to "Slow Down, Move Over," but only one-third of drivers fully comprehend what these laws entail. This lack of awareness is resulting in fatalities.

      Details from the AAA Study

      Following the deaths of 46 tow truck drivers in 2024, AAAFTS took a closer look at the issue. The foundation organized focus groups with 135 drivers across 10 states and examined footage from 169 different crash sites captured by existing traffic cameras. The aim was to observe driver behavior in the presence of stopped vehicles on the roadside.

      Data was collected from 12,365 drivers across these 169 scenes, revealing disconcerting findings.

      More: Drivers in South Carolina Will Soon Face $500 Fines for Not Changing Lanes

      Approximately two-thirds of the surveyed drivers acknowledged being aware of Slow Down Move Over (SDMO) laws, but they struggled to describe the specifics of the laws in their state.

      Many were unclear about which vehicles received legal protection and what actions were required of them as drivers. Observations of real driver behavior on the road were even more alarming.

      While 64 percent of drivers did take some form of action (which will be discussed shortly) upon encountering a stopped vehicle, that still means 36 percent did nothing.

      This indicates that over one in three cars in the slow lane continued driving as if there were no incident happening just inches away on the shoulder.

      The other 64 percent, however, were not fully compliant with the law. According to AAA, they either slowed down or moved over. “Changing lanes was much more common than reducing speed, suggesting that many drivers are overlooking a critical aspect of the law,” the organization noted.

      Furthermore, drivers were less inclined to take action if the stopped vehicle was not a police car, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness on this issue.

      What Needs to Change?

      “Every responder working on the roadside has the right to return home safely,” stated AAA Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research, Jake Nelson. “We need clear, consistent laws, visible enforcement, and effective education that resonates with drivers. When everyone understands what ‘slow down, move over’ truly means, we can enhance safety for those who protect us daily.”

      It is evident that some states are implementing stricter penalties and expanding public engagement efforts, but the data underscores that understanding remains alarmingly low.

      Until education and enforcement measures improve, too many roadside workers will continue to face unnecessary dangers from drivers who either do not know the law or do not believe it applies to them.