If you are in a big crowd, you ask someone to “move over" to give you room. If the cat is in my chair, I ask him to “move over” so I can sit down. The phrase, “move over,” can mean different things.

At ADOT, it means one thing: safety.

“Move Over” has been a law for more than a decade in Arizona, but too many drivers aren’t following it and the consequences can be deadly. On Saturday, Oct. 19, transportation safety stakeholders across the country will participate in “Move Over” Day with the purpose to raise awareness about the law.

The “Move Over” law requires motorists to move over one lane to the left – or slow down if it isn’t safe to change lanes – when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the shoulder of a road or highway. That includes police cruisers, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks, maintenance trucks and even passenger vehicles with hazard lights flashing.

“Move Over” matters because stranded motorists and responders need a safe place to work when they’re on the shoulder of our highways. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for responders to be hit and killed while doing their job helping people in need, or a person to be struck while inspecting their own disabled car or changing a flat tire. In fact, according to national crash statistics, traffic crashes are the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for law enforcement in the U.S.

Safety is a priority at ADOT and our crews make themselves noticeable. But even wearing brightly-colored and reflective gear and following exacting safety practices to ensure proper traffic incident management doesn’t stop close calls from occurring.

Drivers, please, pay attention to the road ahead and “Move Over” when you see flashing lights.

By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications

Nearly everyone has driven past a minor crash on a freeway. A handful of you, no doubt, have been involved in such a crash.

So what does one do if, heaven forbid, it happens to you? More to the point: How do you stay safe?

If you are in the fender bender, the most crucial thing to remember is simple: Move over. Get out of the travel lanes. You don’t have to preserve the scene of non-injury crash.

The second thing to remember: Don’t step into traffic to photograph your vehicle. Once your car is safely on the shoulder, you should be too. You and the other driver can exchange pertinent information while waiting safely, out of the way of traffic, for law enforcement to arrive.

This is called Quick Clearance, a strategy that keeps motorists safe and traffic moving. Quick Clearance is one of the practices that the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and other traffic-safety stakeholders are promoting during National Traffic Incident (TIM) Awareness Week.

In addition to providing TIM tips this week, motorists will also see related safety messages on overhead signs and on social media. You'll find examples above and below.

Quick Clearance is also a matter of state law. Drivers in minor crashes with operable vehicles are required to remove their vehicles from the roadway if it is safe to do so.

At the same time, motorists approaching a crash or a vehicle with flashing lights are required to move over one lane or slow down under Arizona’s “Move Over” law.

It’s all part of traffic safety, and it's an important message for motorists.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

It’s no secret that ADOT uses overhead signs to spread safety messages to motorists in Arizona. Some messages appear briefly and never resurface – these are usually related to one-time events, like concerts – and others become part of a regular rotation.

On Saturday, as part of “Move Over” Awareness Day, this recurring message will appear on overhead signs statewide:

In addition to displaying this safety message on about 100 overhead signs statewide, the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association is promoting “Move Over” Awareness Day with a tow truck parade and family-friendly event on Saturday.

Arizona’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to mover over one lane – or slow down if it is not safe to change lanes – when driving by any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of a road or highway. Vehicles with flashing lights includes first responders, ADOT trucks, passenger cars with emergency flashers and tow trucks.

Tow truck operators are exposed daily to the dangers of working in and alongside traffic. Nationally, one tow truck operator is killed every six days. First responders and highway workers are also at risk. Drivers can save lives, including their own, by paying attention and giving responders room to do their jobs.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

Motorists might have noticed an uptick in road work across northern Arizona in the past few weeks as summer temperatures provide a window for paving and improving state highways in the high country.

That's why ADOT is launching a summer safety campaign in northern Arizona that encourages motorists to drive safely in work zones and reminds them of the “Move Over” law. The campaign will feature safety messages on overhead signs in the area and on ADOT’s social media channels.

Motorists that follow the “Move Over” law help keep ADOT work crews, as well as first responders, safe on Arizona’s roadways. “Move Over” requires motorists to move over one lane – or slow down if it is not safe to change lanes – when approaching vehicles with flashing lights pulled to the side of the road.

When driving in work zones – there are multiple planned paving projects on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff this summer that will have lane restrictions – follow these tips to protect yourself and the men and women who build and maintain the state highway system:

• Pay attention: Observe and obey posted warning signs, as well as flaggers. You can be cited for disobeying a flagger’s directions.
• Expect the unexpected: Speed limits might be lowered, travel lanes could be narrowed or eliminated and people may be working near your travel lane.
• Slow down: Speeding is one of the leading causes of work zone crashes.
• Merge safely: Do it early and carefully or as directed by signage instead of barging into a line of vehicles at the last moment.
• Don’t tailgate: The most common crash in a work zone is the rear-end collision. Don’t follow too closely and, again, slow your speed.

For more information about work zone safety, visit azdot.gov/workzone. Information about “Move Over” is available at moveoveraz.org.

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511.

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

Travel Arizona’s highways this week and you’ll see this message on overhead signs:

We hope “Move Over” rings familiar. If not, let’s refresh your memory:

• “Move Over” is a state law that requires motorists to move over one lane – or slow down if it is not safe to change lanes – when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of a road or highway.
• That includes first responder vehicles such as tow trucks, fire trucks, ambulances and police cruisers, as well as utility trucks and even passenger vehicles that have emergency flashers blinking. Click the graphic at right for this information.

Lives can be saved when vehicles “Move Over.” In June near Benson, a tow truck operator was killed when a vehicle struck him as he assisted a stranded motorist on the shoulder of Interstate 10.

Tragically, that’s not uncommon, as being a first responder to vehicle crashes and disabled motorists is dangerous work. Nationally, one tow truck operator is killed every six days. On average, about 23 highway workers and one law enforcement officer are killed every month and five fire fighters are killed every year in the United States.

Remember, when you see flashing lights on, give ’em space and “Move Over.”

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications

If you travel through Phoenix on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 29, you might encounter a tow truck parade of more than 100 vehicles.

That parade, which will also feature first responder vehicles, including ADOT ALERT trucks, is the kick-off to the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association’s Move Over Awareness Day. The event aims to bring attention to Arizona’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to move over one lane – or slow down if it is not safe to change lanes – when driving by any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of a road or highway.

Tow truck operators in particular need the traveling public to know when to “Move Over.” Nationally, one tow truck operator is killed every six days. In June on Interstate 10 near Benson, a tow truck operator assisting a stranded motorist was killed when he was struck by a vehicle.

On Saturday, some overhead highway signs in the Phoenix area will display a “Move Over” message.

Being a first responder to vehicle crashes and disabled motorists is dangerous work. On average, about 23 highway workers and one law enforcement officer are killed every month and five firefighters are killed every year in the United States. Drivers must pay more attention to their surroundings.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

Following two incidents in the past 10 days in which road workers having been killed on state highways, we're using message boards to remind drivers to pay attention in work zones and heed the “Move Over” law. These types of crashes are avoidable. Motorists should pay extra attention in work zones, avoid distracted driving and move over for vehicles on the side of the road, such as tow trucks and emergency responders, that have flashing lights.

You’ll see the message below on ADOT’s signs this week:

2 ROAD WORKERS
KILLED THIS MONTH
DRIVE ALERT

Slowing down in work zones and staying alert helps highway workers get home safely and can help you as well. According to the Federal Highway Administration, drivers and vehicle passengers account for 82 percent of work zone fatalities.

Collisions are the second-leading cause of law enforcement deaths and firefighter fatalities nationwide.

The “Move Over” law was designed to help protect emergency workers doing their jobs on our roadways. In 2011, this law was expanded to include all vehicles, not just emergency response vehicles. It requires drivers to move one lane over from any vehicle with flashing lights pulled over on the side of the road. If it's not possible to safely move over, drivers should slow down. For more information, visit moveoverAZ.org.

Here are safety tips for driving through work zones:

• Expect the unexpected: Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be restricted and people may be working on or near the road.
• Slow down: Speeding is one of the major causes of crashes in work zones.
• Keep a safe distance: The most common type of accident in a work zone is a rear-end collision. Maintain two car lengths between you and the car in front of you as well as road crews and their equipment.
• Pay attention: The warning signs are there to help you move safely through the work zone. Observe the posted signs.
• Obey road crew flaggers: The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic safely in the work zone. A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign. You can be cited for disobeying a flagger's directions.
• Stay alert and minimize distractions: Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cellphones while driving in a work zone.
• Keep up with traffic flow: Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible. Do not drive right up to the lane closure and then try to barge in.
• Check road conditions before traveling: Schedule enough time to drive safely and check for traffic information by calling 511 or by logging on to az511.gov.
• Be patient: Remember, crews are working to improve the road for you.

By Dallas Hammit
State Engineer/Deputy Director for Transportation

Just about four years ago, an important change was made to Arizona’s Move Over law.

Until that time, the law had required motorists to move over a lane when driving by an emergency services vehicle that was on the side of a road or highway. When amended in 2011, the law was updated to include those same precautions for ANY stationary vehicle with flashing lights – that includes tow-truck drivers, emergency personnel, ADOT employees, stranded motorists or anyone else in a vehicle on the side of the road.

Even though the law has been in place for some time now, I’m sure many of you have noticed drivers who still don’t obey the rule, which is why I’m bringing up the topic today with the hope that all of us can set the example by Moving Over. I also encourage you to share the Move Over message with family and friends, who might not be aware of the law.

Here are a couple of things to know about Arizona’s Move Over law:

• When approaching a stationary vehicle that is giving a signal or displaying warning (hazard) lights, you’ll need to proceed with caution and, if it is safe to do so, move over one lane away from the stationary vehicle.
• Of course, it’s not always possible to safely move over. If traffic conditions prevent you from moving over, or if a second lane does not exist, the Move Over law requires drivers to proceed with caution and reduce the speed of their vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.

The Move Over law is important to us at ADOT — it is designed to protect all drivers and those of us who work on or next to our roads. You can find more information on the law, by visiting ADOT’s Move Over AZ website.

By Linda Gorman

AAA of Arizona

Every day, AAA assists more than 1,200 stranded drivers across the state. For these motorists and the roadside assistance workers who help them, being stuck alongside a busy highway can be a scary and potentially dangerous experience.

To prevent anyone who has had the misfortune of being stranded roadside from becoming a statistic, AAA and other agencies worked collectively to lobby for the expansion of the state’s ‘Move Over’ law in 2011. The previous ‘Move Over’ law served as an important safeguard for law enforcement and emergency services personnel, and the expanded law offered this protection to everyone on the road.

AAA applauds state lawmakers for adopting this legislation and protecting roadside assistance professionals and the motorists they serve.

Prior to the adoption of the ‘Move Over’ law, in August 2008, an Arizona tow truck driver and the motorist he was assisting were killed on State Route 202, when a heavy-equipment truck veered into them. In addition, in 2006, two tow truck drivers lost their lives on Arizona roadways while performing their roadside assistance duties. This doesn’t account for the hundreds of near-misses experienced on roadways as a result of drivers neglecting to move over.

Although the law requires drivers to move over for any vehicle, including stranded motorists and emergency roadside personnel that is displaying flashing lights alongside a freeway or highway, many motorists still don’t heed this rule. As a result, thousands of stranded motorists and the roadside personnel assisting them are being put in harm’s way every day.

For the safety and security of everyone on the road, please remember that when approaching a stationary vehicle displaying alternately flashing lights or warning lights:

• Perform a lane change to a non-adjacent lane from the stationary vehicle if safe to do so when travelling on a four-lane highway with at least two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the stationary vehicle.
• If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, reduce vehicle speed and proceed with caution, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.

Linda Gorman is the communications and public affairs director for AAA Arizona.
Connect with AAA at aaa.com or via Twitter.

Many drivers got our message yesterday to Move Over, thanks, in part, to the local media…

Several news crews were out early Monday morning at an event hosted by ADOT and partnering agencies. Reporters joined us at Phoenix International Roadway so they could experience firsthand what it’s like to be stuck on the side of the road.

Don’t worry – it was all happening in a very controlled environment. Reporters stood behind a barrier as a vehicle flew by on the track at highway speeds.

The demonstration clearly showed how being on the side of the road – whether you’re a stranded motorist, law-enforcement officer or tow-truck driver – is a nerve-racking experience.

It also illustrated why it’s so important to Move Over if you can, or if you can’t safely move over a lane, at least slow down when passing a vehicle that’s on the side of the road.

We’d like to thank the news media for helping to spread this message! In case you missed any of the reports, you can find many of them online:

• AZ Family