Holiday travel means more traffic and that means more accidents. AAA wants to remind motorists to “Slow Down and Move Over” for emergency crews. Those crews include law enforcement, ambulances, and tow truck operators. Spokesperson Don Redman said failure to do so in Louisiana can cost you $200.
“It’s not only the law, but it’s the right thing to do. You see someone on the side of the road with their hazard lights on, move over to the next lane, if possible if you can’t slow down,” said Redman.
Redman said nearly a quarter of those surveyed aren’t aware of the Move Over law. And it’s not just emergency responders who are injured, since 2015, 1,600 people have been struck or killed while outside of a disabled vehicle in the US.
“Many times, these are vehicles are just smashing into parked police cars into the side of the road, firetrucks, EMTs, and they’re completely oblivious to what’s going on largely because they’re distracted,” said Redman.
In addition to cellphone usage when you’re behind the wheel, Redman said when traveling familiar roadways motorists tend to daydream and get distracted. One way to avoid that is to follow what you’re told in driver’s ed and check your mirrors every three to five seconds.
“It seems excessive to be constantly monitoring your mirrors but one of the things you’re making sure is nothing is getting in your blind spot, but it also keeps you attentive, keeps your mind on the fact that you’re driving,” said Redman.
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