National Move Over Day Highlights Dangers Facing Tow Operators

National Move Over Day on Oct. 17 urges motorists to slow down and move over to protect roadside professionals.

Tow truck operators face life-threatening risks working inches from passing traffic, and Kansas safety officials are urging motorists to slow down and move over for roadside workers during National Move Over Day on Oct. 17.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), AAA Kansas and traffic safety partners are raising awareness of the state’s strengthened Move Over law, which now protects roadside workers and motorists in and around disabled vehicles.

The danger is substantial. From 2019 to 2023, more than 2,100 people nationwide were struck and killed while working or stranded roadside. AAA responded to more than 30 million roadside incidents in 2025, when 15 roadside service providers were killed in Slow Down, Move Over-related incidents.

Kansas recorded 24,243 crashes involving unoccupied vehicles stopped roadside on state highways between 2020 and 2025, resulting in 12 fatalities and 161 suspected serious injuries.

Source: https://hutchpost.com