Last year, 46 emergency responders were struck and killed while assisting others on the roadside. According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, the deaths included police officers, firefighters, EMTs and tow truck operators.

Slow Down, Move Over laws were created to prevent these tragedies, but a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that confusion about the laws and inconsistent enforcement are leaving responders at continued risk.

“Slow Down, Move Over laws exist in every state, but it’s clear that awareness of these laws isn’t enough to protect our emergency responders,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “This research shows motorists do not always follow the law, resulting in preventable tragedies. We need clear, consistent laws and visible enforcement, so we can make our roads safer for those who protect us every day.”

While every state and the District of Columbia have a Slow Down, Move Over law, many drivers don’t fully understand what those laws require. In a forthcoming AAAFTS national survey, two-thirds of drivers said they’ve heard of SDMO laws, but many couldn’t say whether their state has one or what the law entails. Drivers are far less likely to move over or slow down for tow trucks or stranded vehicles than for police, revealing a widespread misconception about who the laws protect.

When researchers reviewed real-world footage of drivers passing roadside incidents, they found only 64% of vehicles either slowed down or moved over. The remaining 36% did neither.

The research reveals several troubling trends. Tow truck operators face the greatest risk. Only 58% of drivers witnessed in surveillance footage slowed down or moved over when a tow truck was stopped at the roadside, compared to 66% who slowed down or moved over for police vehicles. Intentions don’t match actions. Most drivers say they comply with SDMO laws, but roadside video shows otherwise, especially when it comes to reducing speed. Weak enforcement reduces deterrence. Drivers perceive little risk of being ticketed, and penalties vary widely — from $30 in Florida to $2,500 in Virginia.

AAA is encouraging policymakers, enforcement agencies and safety partners to strengthen and align their approaches to Slow Down, Move Over laws, making them clearer, more consistent and easier for drivers to follow.

Recommendations include clarify and align SDMO laws across states, including a consistent definition of what it means to slow down; raise public awareness through emotionally compelling, visually clear campaigns that humanize the impact of noncompliance and showcase all vehicles covered by the laws; and increase enforcement visibility with coordinated, high-visibility efforts and education-first use of emerging technologies like dashcams and automated enforcement systems.

AAA furthers its mission to protect service technicians and tow providers by offering innovative solutions that improve safety at the roadside by partnering with companies like HAAS Alert, to provide advance notice to drivers about an incident at the roadside and remind them to slow down and move over.