Representatives of the American Automobile Association are asking Kentucky’s General Assembly to strengthen the so-called “Slow Down-Move Over” law. Currently, the law pertains to first responders, law enforcement, municipal, and utility vehicles on the side of the road. The law requires motorists to slow down and move over a lane, if at all possible. AAA Public and Government Affairs Manager Lori Weaver Hawkins said lawmakers will be asked to include stranded motorists on that list.
“You know we hear these tragedies of folks trying to change a tire or just waiting for help to arrive and they end up, they’re outside their vehicle, end up getting hit by a passing motorist,” said Weaver Hawkins.
The vast majority of roadside fatalities in Kentucky have occurred after dark. From 2017 to 2021, 27 people died after being struck on the side of the road and 20 of those incidents occurred at night. Weaver Hawkins said distractions are often a factor.
“There is also, I think an increased probability that people are driving impaired after dark and that probably enters into it as well compared to the number of people driving impaired during daylight,” said Weaver Hawkins
The Triple A representative says nationally one tow truck driver is killed every other week across the U.S.
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