U.S. Move Over Laws

All 50 U.S. states have Move Over Laws to increase safety for traffic incident management responders and the motoring public. However, the towing and recovery industry still loses an estimated one (1) operator every six (6) days on the nation's roadways. TRAA shares the goal of a day where zero operators lose their lives performing their duties to keep the roadways clear. 
 

TRAA has a multifaceted approach to our advocacy efforts, both in addressing public policy and raising public awareness to the dangers towing professionals face as an industry on America’s roadways.

Federal Legislation

• As a result of TRAA’s efforts, Congressman Jim McGovern introduced the National Move Over Law Resolution (H.Res.1463 formerly H.Res.1052) on April 11, 2022 and it was passed on November 15, 2022. The resolution supports the goals and ideals of Move Over Laws and urges relevant Federal and State agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations involved in traffic incident management response, to promote the existence of and adherence to State Move Over laws. The passage of H.Res.1463 will undoubtably increase public awareness of Move Over Laws and the need for drivers to slow down and move over when they see any incident responder on the side of the road. The industry deeply appreciates Congressman McGovern’s leadership on this issue and the entire House of Representatives for their concern for the nation’s traffic incident management responder community which includes tow truck operators, law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, and transportation workers. See official press release
• Senators Richard Blumenthal and Mike Braun introduced a Senate companion version of the National Move Over Law Day Resolution (S.734) on August 3, 2022. We are proud to share that as a result of TRAA's efforts, the Senate version (S.Res. 734) was introduced with Senator Mike Braun, as the Republican co-lead. A huge "thank you" to the Indiana Towing & Wrecker Association (ITWA), affiliate member, for helping TRAA secure Senator Braun's support. In addition to facilitating the co-lead, TRAA has also been able to secure the official support of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Senator's Press Release Senator's Thank You Letter to TRAA
• TRAA supported the Protecting Roadside Responders Act many of whose provisions were successfully passed in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R.3684) signed into law in November 2021.
• TRAA assisted the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in data collection regarding the industry’s SDMO laws to support federal provisions. The GAO is the government agency that provides auditing, evaluation, and investigative services for the United States Congress. The GAO’s findings indicate that better data collection is needed to address the issue and that some states expressed challenges in both educating motorists and enforcing existing Move Over Laws. Read the full study here.
• TRAA is exploring possible regulatory solutions within FMCSA and FHWA. There are several options available we’re researching including reclassification.

Increasing Awareness Among Motorists

• TRAA participates in FHWA’s annual Crash Responder Safety Week every November. The week is coordinated event with all traffic incident management disciplines with maximizes the exposure the media exposure.
• TRAA strongly supports the efforts of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum, several state-level associations, and other entities to increase consciousness among the motoring public. 

Operator Education

• TRAA was one of the first, and remains one of the fiercest, advocators for the education and professionalism of tow operators. We believe strongly that everyone working within the industry, on or off-scene, should at minimum take the National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training. The better educated operators are in scene management, PPE, quick clearance, etc. the less exposure and likelihood of being involved in a struck-by or near-miss incident.
• The TRAA Towing Safety Consortium is hosting Slow Down Move Over Rallies at key industry events. The rallies are intended to share critical safety tips on ways operators can lower their risk of becoming a statistic.

Reporting- Our ability to push legislation and regulation relies heavily on the availability of quality data. 

• TRAA is proud to support the Emergency Responder Safety Institute's (ERSI) nationwide database which collects detailed information about incidents on the roadway where emergency responders or their equipment were struck by a vehicle while operating at a scene. Available at ReportStruckBy.com.
• TRAA also supports the Towing Traffic Incident Reporting System (TTIRS) which specially focuses on towing related struck-by and near miss incidents.

Feel compelled to support TRAA's work to promote Move Over Laws and reduce responder fatalities? Donations to the Lobbyist Support Fund go directly towards the costs of TRAA's federal lobbying team. We also have a general Legal Action Fund which can apply towards any legislative expense associated with defending or advocating for the industry. 

Thank you for supporting this essential work on the industry's behalf!