Slow Down, Move Over: A Shared Responsibility to Save Lives This Memorial Day
With holiday traffic increasing across the country, AAA Mountain West Group encourages drivers to stay alert and move over for roadside emergencies.
This Memorial Day weekend, America’s highways are expected to see a historic traffic surge. Between May 21 and 25, an estimated 45 million people will travel by car, setting a new record for holiday road trips.
Behind those numbers is a growing safety crisis affecting the roadside professionals who help stranded motorists every day. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 123 roadside service providers were struck and killed while working on U.S. highways between 2015 and 2021. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and tow truck drivers were hit by passing vehicles while assisting stranded drivers on the roadside.
The danger persists: nationwide, one roadside first responder is killed every six days. The simple truth is any one could become a stranded motorist. When a car breaks down, the greatest risk isn’t the mechanical failure, it's the danger posed by passing traffic.
Research shows nearly 90% of these fatalities occurred on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher, where speeding and distracted driving create especially dangerous conditions. With record holiday traffic expected, the risk intensifies.
“Slow Down, Move Over” laws have existed in every state and the District of Columbia for more than 20 years, requiring drivers to slow down and, when possible, move into another lane when approaching emergency or service vehicles with flashing lights. Yet awareness and compliance remain inconsistent.
A 2021 AAA Foundation study found only 77% of licensed drivers knew their state had a “Slow Down, Move Over” law. Even among those aware of the law, many fail to follow it. A 2025 AAA Foundation survey found only 64% of drivers actually slow down or move over near roadside incidents. For tow truck operators, compliance drops to just 58%.
To help address the issue, AAA has installed flashing digital signs on their trucks that display a life-saving message to alert drivers of an ongoing roadside issue, and integrated HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud® technology into its roadside assistance operations. The platform sends real-time digital alerts to nearby drivers through vehicle infotainment systems and navigation apps such as Waze and Apple Maps, warning them of roadside incidents up to 30 seconds in advance.
Research indicates these alerts can reduce collision risk by as much as 90%. More than 2 billion Safety Cloud® alerts have been delivered nationwide, and the system is now integrated into vehicles from manufacturers including Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler.
“For more than 20 years, AAA has championed ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ laws across the country, yet we are still losing far too many roadside heroes in the line of duty,” said Todd Burger, AAA Mountain West Group Chief Automotive Officer. “Drivers need to understand what these laws require and why they matter. Each of us shares the responsibility of ensuring everyone returns home safely to their loved ones.”
AAA urges drivers take simple precautions to protect roadside workers and fellow motorists:
- Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving – and never drive impaired.
- Extend the same caution to disabled vehicles and stranded motorists.
- Look ahead and watch for stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and service vehicles with flashing lights.
- Slow down significantly when approaching any roadside incidents.
- Move over into an adjacent lane whenever it is safe to do so.
AAA expects approximately 350,000 roadside service calls nationwide during the Memorial Day travel period. Traffic is expected to peak Thursday afternoon through Friday evening, and again on Monday as travelers return home.
Every roadside stop represents a moment of vulnerability. Whether it is a professional helping a standard motorist or a family in need. This Memorial Day weekend, slowing down and moving over can help ensure everyone makes it home safely.