One-Third of Drivers Unaware of Minnesota’s Move Over Law

Minnesota's Toward Zero Deaths program is using Crash Responder Safety Week to raise awareness of Move Over laws and the dangers facing roadside responders, including tow operators.

One-third of drivers are unaware that Move Over laws exist, raising concerns about the risks facing tow operators and other roadside responders, according to Minnesota transportation officials.

The finding was highlighted during Crash Responder Safety Week, proclaimed Nov. 2-6 by Gov. Tim Walz. Minnesota's Toward Zero Deaths program is using the campaign to call attention to the dangers responders face while working roadside.

According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, 360 crash responders nationwide have been killed or injured at incident scenes since 2019. The group includes tow truck operators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and highway workers.

Minnesota law requires motorists approaching stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles to move over one lane when safe or slow down if changing lanes isn't possible. Despite similar legislation in all 50 states, public awareness remains a challenge.

Tony Kasella, MnDOT's traffic incident project manager, emphasized that reducing speed is critical because it can lessen the severity of a secondary collision involving roadside personnel.

For tow operators, who routinely work alongside moving traffic while loading, securing and recovering vehicles, driver awareness and compliance remain critical factors in roadside safety.