'Slow Down Move Over' encouraged during busy July 4 travel weekend
AAA: More than 30,000 roadside calls are expected this weekend
AAA: More than 30,000 roadside calls are expected this weekend
AAA: More than 30,000 roadside calls are expected this weekend
According to AAA, more than 30,000 roadside calls are expected over this upcoming July 4 weekend, which means drivers should be aware of "Slow Down Move Over" laws.
"It requires, when safely to do so, for you to vacate that lane when you see an emergency roadside vehicle,” Tiffany Wright, AAA Carolinas Director Of Public Affairs, said. "Even though it’s a law in all 50 states, we’re still losing lives alongside the roadside because people haven’t made it a habit.”
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety,
"When you approach a stopped authorized emergency vehicle, proceed with caution. Slow down and yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane away from the authorized emergency vehicle, if safety and traffic conditions permit. If a lane change is unsafe, slow down and proceed with caution while maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions."
Authorized emergency vehicles include vehicles you may associate with blue and red lights. It also includes yellow lights as well.
"Everybody knows it goes for police, fire and EMS, but sometimes they don’t pay attention to the tow trucks that are included in that as well,” Willimon’s Towing Assistant Theresa Rodriguez said. "They’re putting themselves out there beside the road with vehicles traveling up to 80 mph. They increase the risk of hitting these disabled vehicles or these trucks that are on the side of the road. That also includes the drivers that are out there working the vehicles.”
AAA said the lack of space tow truck drivers have to work, especially on busy highways, adds to the danger of the job.
"We’re talking about anywhere from four to six inches, and they’re working in that tiny space, so there isn’t much room for error,” Wright said.
Wright said the towing industry is 15 times more deadly than all other private industries combined, making the "Slow Down Move Over" laws critical.
"We know one tow truck driver is killed at the roadside every other week," Wright said. "It doesn’t seem like a lot but that’s an alarming stat.”
“They’re potentially going to be taken from their family," Rodriguez said. "They never know if they’ll make it back.”
Glen Carver, with Mike's Body Shop & Towing, said he knows firsthand how dangerous the job is, and why "Slow Down Move Over" is so important.
"I've been doing this for 25 years," Carver said. "I've seen all kinds of things. "It’s very scary. Especially at night because sometimes people don’t even have their headlights on, and you don’t even know they’re coming by until they come by you. I have kids that I want to see the next day.”
Master Trooper Brandon Bolt with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said failure to abide by the "Slow Down Move Over" law can result in a $500 fine.
A bill was signed earlier this year declaring Oct. 15 as "Slow Down Move Over Day."