Move Over Day Is Saturday: New AAA Survey Shows Drivers Still Fall Short

Ahead of National Slow Down, Move Over Day on Saturday, Oct. 17, a new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey found a gap between what drivers say and what they do. More than 90% of drivers said they moved over or slowed down the last time they passed a disabled vehicle, tow truck or police car. But earlier AAA research found that only 64% of vehicles covered by Slow Down, Move Over laws were seen changing lanes or slowing down. The other 36% did neither.

The stakes are high. From 2019 to 2023, more than 2,100 people were struck and killed while stranded or working on the roadside, AAA said. In 2025, 15 roadside service providers were killed in Slow Down, Move Over incidents, and six of those cases involved hit-and-run drivers and five involved impaired drivers.

The survey also found strong support for the laws. Once the laws were explained, 90% of drivers backed them and only 2% opposed them.

In Ohio, AAA and law enforcement are pushing the message too. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers have been in 11 move-over-related crashes this year, and more than 70 ODOT vehicles, pieces of equipment or workers have been hit, 10TV reported Oct. 15.

Here in Washington, we're driving the message home this Saturday at the Slow Down Move Over Parade with Target Zero. Lineup is at 3 PM at Columbia Center Mall in Kennewick, and the parade rolls at 4 PM to the HAPO Center in Pasco.

Slow down early. Move over when it's safe. Our operators are working just feet from traffic.

Sources: AAA Newsroom (https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/10/new-aaa-foundation-survey-highlights-deadly-roadside-safety-risks/), 10TV Columbus (https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/ohio-safety-officials-remind-drivers-move-over-or-slow-down/530-10635066-0bfb-42c7-999f-8a6bb84a2ddb)