Confusion Over “Slow Down, Move Over” Laws Puts Roadside Responders at Risk

Last year, 46 emergency responders never made it home, according to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute. They were police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and tow truck operators—struck while assisting others on the roadside. “Slow Down, Move Over” (SDMO) laws were created to prevent these tragedies, but a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) finds that confusion about the laws and inconsistent enforcement are leaving responders at continued risk.

“For more than two decades, AAA has worked tirelessly to promote ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ laws nationwide. Yet, far too many roadside heroes continue to lose their lives while serving the public,” said Doug Shupe, Corporate Communications Manager for AAA Texas. “Awareness alone is not enough—drivers must understand what these laws require and why following them saves lives.”

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. In a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety national survey, two-thirds of drivers said they’ve heard of SDMO laws, but many couldn’t say whether their state has one or what the law entails. Drivers 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.

When researchers reviewed real-world footage of drivers passing roadside incidents, they found only 64% of vehicles either slowed down or moved over. The remaining 36% did neither. Changing lanes was far more common than reducing speed, suggesting that many drivers are missing half the law’s intent.

The research reveals several troubling trends:

• Tow truck operators face the greatest risk. Only 58% of drivers witnessed in surveillance footage slowed down or moved over when a tow truck was stopped at the roadside, compared to 66% who slowed down or moved over for police vehicles.
• Intentions don’t match actions. Most drivers say they comply with SDMO laws, but roadside video shows otherwise, especially when it comes to reducing speed.
• Weak enforcement reduces deterrence. Drivers perceive minor risk of being ticketed, and penalties vary widely—from $30 in Florida to $2,500 in Virginia. In Texas, penalties for violating the law include fines of up to $1,250 for a first offense and stricter penalties for law violators who cause serious injuries including possible jail time and a fine of up to $4,000.

Harris County’s Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) has been a vital safety resource since 1986, helping more than 1.1 million stranded motorists on some of the nation’s busiest roadways. MAP deputies and tow operators patrol highways and work with Houston TranStar to quickly respond to breakdowns, preventing secondary crashes and keeping drivers safe—all at no cost to the public.

Despite their lifesaving mission, MAP teams face serious risks. In the past three years, six MAP trucks have been struck by passing vehicles, underscoring the need for drivers to follow Texas’ Move Over/Slow Down law: reduce speed by 20 mph below the limit and move over one lane when emergency lights are flashing.

“Our MAP deputies are often the only thing standing between a stranded motorist and fast-moving traffic,” said Harris County Sheriff’s Office Major Anthony McConnell. “These workers provide this service for free, but their own safety is constantly at risk. We urge drivers to slow down and move over—it’s the law, and it saves lives.”

AAA is encouraging policymakers, enforcement agencies, and safety partners to strengthen and align their approaches to “Slow Down, Move Over” laws—making them clearer, more consistent, and easier for drivers to follow.

Recommendations include:

• Clarify and align SDMO laws across states, including a consistent definition of what it means to “slow down.”
• Raise public awareness through emotionally compelling, visually clear campaigns that humanize the impact of noncompliance and explain all vehicles covered by the laws.
• Increase enforcement visibility with coordinated, high-visibility efforts and education-first use of emerging technologies like dashcams and automated enforcement systems.

AAA furthers its mission to protect service technicians and tow providers by offering innovative solutions that improve safety at the roadside by partnering with companies like HAAS Alert, to provide advance notice to drivers about an incident at the roadside and remind them to slow down and move over.