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AAA Honors Roadside Heroes During Appreciation Week

AAA urges awareness and compliance with Move Over laws to protect roadside workers

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (June 15, 2026)- For roadside assistance providers, climbing into the cab of a tow truck to rescue stranded motorists means entering one of the most dangerous workplaces. Last year alone, 15 roadside heroes were struck and killed on the job – more than half were victims of hit-and-run crashes. Because driver awareness is critical to saving lives, AAA is highlighting the importance of “Move Over” laws during Roadside Assistance Worker Appreciation Week (June 23-29) to honor the dedication and service of these heroes.

Summer is the busiest time for AAA roadside assistance teams across California. Last year AAA responded to over 26,393 calls for roadside assistance across Northern California over the Fourth of July travel period.

In recognition of Roadside Assistance Worker Appreciation Week, AAA Northern California encourages drivers to:

  • Slow down and, if possible, keep one lane away from workers, motorists and their vehicles stranded on the side of the road.
  • Stay alert, avoid distractions and concentrate on the task of driving.
  • Look ahead and watch for situations where emergency vehicles, tow trucks, public service vehicles, or disabled vehicles are on the side of the road.

While “Slow Down, Move Over” laws have existed in every state and the District of Columbia, public awareness and compliance remains low.

“Every roadside stop represents a moment of vulnerability. Each of us shares the responsibility of ensuring everyone – from the stranded motorists to the roadside hero who stops to render aid – makes it home safely to their loved ones at the end of the day,” said Dan Hutchinson, Executive Vice President, AAA Northern California Road Service. “Drivers can show their appreciation for roadside heroes year round by adhering to California’s Move Over Law and giving them the space they need to help stranded motorists on the road side.”

Prioritizing Safety For All on the Road

AAA Northern California has made a major investment in roadside safety by installing flashing digital signs on their fleet trucks. These signs display a critical “slow down, move over” message to alert drivers of an ongoing roadside issue. The organization has also integrated HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud® technology. The platform sends real-time digital alerts to nearby drivers through navigation apps such as Waze and Apple Maps, warning them of an approaching roadside incident up to 30 seconds in advance.


About AAA Mountain West Group

AAA Mountain West Group is one of the most trusted membership organizations, proudly serving over 6.8 million Members across Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, Utah, and Wyoming. Named one of Forbes’ Most Trusted Companies in America, AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,400 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.

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