MOVE OVER and Slow Down for ANY Stopped Vehicle
The Move Over Law was established in Ohio In 1999. Originally, it ruled that motorists had to slow down and move over one lane every time they saw an emergency vehicle with its lights on stopped on the side of the road. Fourteen years later, in 2013, Ohio legislators expanded the law to include any vehicle with flashing lights, such as tow trucks, that have pulled over and come to a stop. The law was meant to protect people who help those with damaged vehicles. Those who don’t abide by the law are subject to hefty fines.
Why the Move Over Law Must be Followed
Failure to adhere to the Move Over Law resulted in the untimely death of Michael Kennedy. Michael was a tow truck driver. On May 11, 2015, he was out on a call, assisting a motorist with a flat tire. Michael wore a reflective vest and the lights were flashing on his tow truck, which was stopped on the side of I-80. Despite the warning signals and the law, he was sideswiped by a semi-truck driver. Michael died at the scene of the crash, and the semi-truck driver got away with a fine, but no jail time. If the truck driver had followed the law, Michael might still be alive today.
You Need to Move Over and Slow Down
Even if a vehicle is stopped on the side of the road and doesn’t have flashing lights, a driver must move over one lane and reduce their speed. This is a crucial measure that keeps everyone safe. Ignoring the law could result in disaster. The statistics are staggering. In the United States, a tow truck driver is killed every six days by a motorist who either doesn’t believe they need to follow the law, doesn’t know the law or who is distracted. Every month, at least one law enforcement officer and 23 highway workers are killed in similar accidents. Every year, five firefighters lose their lives in the same manner. These numbers don’t take into account the number of average people pulled to the side of the road who are hit by motorists.
Drivers simply cannot be distracted; especially in construction zones, or driving past disabled vehicles. Remembering to move over and slow down when any vehicle is stopped on the roadway will save lives. Failure to adhere to the law can result in tragedy. If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in an accident because a driver failed to Move Over, call me and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
DISCLAIMER “Please understand the slogan, I’ll Make Them Pay!® is not a guarantee of payment. Both liability and real damages must be proven with a preponderance of the evidence.”
