by Insufficient Understanding of the Rules
It seems simple: slow down and move over. However, for many drivers, this simple rule might as well be written in another language. New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows how little the average driver understands this vitally important rule.
Every state has a “Move Over” law, but only one in three drivers truly understands what it requires. This gap in awareness costs lives.
Details of the AAA Foundation Research
After 44 tow truck drivers died in 2024, the AAA Foundation decided to delve deeper into the problem. The Foundation conducted focus groups with 135 drivers in 10 states and analyzed footage from 169 accident sites using available road cameras. The goal was to find out how drivers behave when encountering stopped vehicles on the shoulder.
Overall, data was collected on 12,365 drivers in these 169 scenarios. The results, to put it mildly, are concerning.
About two-thirds of the surveyed drivers stated they knew about “Move Over” laws but could not clearly articulate what they meant in their state. They were unsure which vehicles were protected under the law and what exactly it required of the driver. The actual behavior of drivers on the road proved even more alarming.
Problems with Rule Compliance
The majority, 64%, did indeed take some action when approaching a stopped vehicle. This still means that a full 36% did nothing. Thus, over one in three cars in the slow lane continued moving as if nothing was happening on the shoulder, just centimeters away.
Those 64% who took action did not fully comply with the law. AAA reports that they either slowed down or changed lanes. “Changing lanes was much more common than reducing speed, indicating that many drivers ignore half of the law’s intent,” the findings note. Furthermore, drivers were less likely to take action if the stopped vehicle was not a police car, pointing to a need for additional education in this area.
Necessary Changes
Every first responder working on the shoulder deserves to return home safely. We need clear, consistent laws, visible compliance, and education that resonates with drivers. When everyone understands what ‘slow down, move over’ truly means, we can make our roads safer for those who protect us every day.
It is clear that some states are increasing fines and conducting more awareness campaigns, but the data points to one thing: the level of understanding remains dangerously low. Until education and compliance improve, too many workers on the shoulder will continue to face unnecessary risks from drivers who simply do not know or do not believe the law applies to them.
AAA Photos
This data highlights that even with legislation in place, direct enforcement and driver understanding remain critical. Awareness campaigns can be effective if they clearly explain which specific vehicles require protection and what exactly needs to be done. Furthermore, increased road enforcement can promote better compliance, reducing risks for all road users.
