AASHTO Journal - Confusion Reduces ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ Law Impact

A new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study finds most motorists are unaware of or misunderstand “Slow Down, Move Over” laws, creating confusion about the laws that, along with inconsistent enforcement, heightened risk exposure for roadside responders.

[Above photo by INDOT]

While every state and the District of Columbia has a “Slow Down, Move Over” law, many drivers don’t fully understand what those laws require. AAA’s national study found that two-thirds of drivers said, while they’ve heard of “Move Over” laws, many couldn’t say whether their state has one or what the law entails.

The study also found that motorists are far less likely to move over or slow down for tow trucks or stranded vehicles than for police, revealing a widespread misconception about who the laws protect.

Additionally, when AAA researchers reviewed real-world footage of drivers passing roadside incidents, they found only 64 percent of vehicles either slowed down or moved over – while the remaining 36 percent did neither. Changing lanes was far more common than reducing speed, suggesting that many drivers are missing half the law’s intent, noted Gene Boehm, president and CEO of AAA National.

“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,” he explained in a statement. “It’s clear that awareness alone isn’t enough. Drivers need to understand what these laws require and why they matter.”

“’Slow Down, Move Over’ laws exist to protect roadside heroes, first responders, and the stranded motorists who they serve,” added Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

“However, as these statistics demonstrate, drivers do not always follow the law, all too often resulting in preventable tragedies,” he stressed.

AAA’s study revealed several troubling “Mover Over” trends:

Tow truck operators face the greatest risk: Only 58 percent of drivers witnessed via surveillance footage slowed down or moved over when a tow truck was stopped at the roadside, compared to 66 percent who slowed down or moved over for police vehicles.
Intentions don’t match actions: Most drivers say they comply with “Move Over” laws, but roadside video shows otherwise – especially when it comes to reducing speed.
Weak enforcement reduces deterrence: Drivers perceive little risk of being ticketed, and penalties vary widely, from $30 in Florida to $2,500 in Virginia.

“Every responder working on the roadside deserves to make it home safely,” said Jake Nelson, director of AAA’s traffic safety advocacy and research. “We need clear, consistent laws, visible enforcement, and education that resonates with drivers,” he emphasized. “When everyone understands what ‘slow down, move over’ really means, we can make our roads safer for those who protect us every day.”