First responders raise awareness ahead of National Move Over Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Emergency responders in the Louisville area are sending a message to drivers: Slow down and move over.

Several groups, including AAA, local tow operators, and several local police departments came together Thursday morning to raise awareness ahead of National Move Over Day.

It's observed on the third Saturday of October each year, with a goal of reducing deadly crashes.

Emergency responders want drivers to keep an eye out for people working or stopped on the side of the road and limit distractions, like cell phones.

"We want people to be mindful of making sure that they slow down, move over, if they can, and just be mindful of what they're doing inside their vehicles," Steve Fisher, Jeffersontown Police Community Resource Officer, said.

A recent study showed 60% of tow workers, emergency responders, and road maintenance workers have almost been hit by a car while working roadside.

Kentucky recently expanded its "Slow Down, Move Over" law, which has required drivers to slow down or move over in an effort to protect those working roadside since 2003.

During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill expanding the existing law to include protections for drivers with disabled vehicles.

Drivers approaching a disabled vehicle that has emergency flashers, flares, or any type of warning signal displayed, will be required to move over a lane if it is safe to do so. If they are not able to change lanes, or they are are on a road with fewer than four lanes, they must slow down.

According to AAA, data from Kentucky State Police shows there were 32 people killed in crashes while either leaving or approaching their vehicles over a five year span starting in June 2019 through June 2024. During that same time period, data shows 16 people were killed in crashes while they were on the side of the road changing a tire or doing other work on their vehicles.

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