Saturday, October 19 marks National Move Over Day in the United States. This day highlights the life-saving importance of Move Over laws, which require drivers to slow down and move over to protect nearby and approaching emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and maintenance crews on the road. It’s a critical reminder of the important role we all play in protecting emergency responders and roadway workers.

Why Move Over laws matter more than ever

Hundreds of thousands of emergency responders and roadway workers put their lives on the line every day just by doing their jobs. Every state, along with Washington, D.C., has their own version of Move Over laws to give these professionals the space they need to perform road maintenance, assist stranded motorists, reach medical emergencies, and more. 

Yet, despite these laws, drivers are still operating vehicles distracted, leading to many preventable accidents and fatalities. Every year, tens of thousands of collisions occur between civilian drivers and emergency vehicles. The National Safety Council says that 891 people were killed and 37,701 people were injured in work zone crashes in 2022. In 2017, 15,000+ fire department vehicles in the US were involved in collisions. These chilling statistics are also just estimates — they only scratch the surface of this epidemic on U.S. roads.

At HAAS Alert, we believe that 100% of struck-by collisions are preventable. Move Over Laws are key to making that happen. Giving roadway workers and emergency responders ample space isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a responsibility we all share to keep those who protect and maintain our roadways safe.

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How Safety Cloud® by HAAS Alert enhances Move Over laws

Move Over Laws are effective and vital aspects of roadway safety. In order to make a real impact, drivers need more than flashing lights and sirens to react in time. Analog alerting solutions typically give drivers less than three seconds to safely react to a roadway hazard. That’s where Safety Cloud comes in.

Safety Cloud brings down the risk of collision by delivering real-time electronic notifications, known as digital alerts, directly to nearby and approaching vehicles. These alerts warn drivers of an emergency responder, upcoming work zone, or other nearby roadway hazard  and prompts them to slow down and move over.

Safety Cloud sends drivers digital alerts up to 30 seconds before coming into contact with a roadway hazard. These crucial moments provide drivers ample time to take appropriate action. Advanced warning systems like Safety Cloud have been proven to reduce the risk of collision by 90 percent compared to traditional lights alone.

Safety Cloud seamlessly works in tandem with Slow Down, Move Over laws. Digital alerting supports these laws by sending lifesaving alerts to motorists directly in vehicles and through leading navigation apps. By delivering alerts directly to drivers, HAAS Alert is contributing to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s national objective of achieving zero roadway deaths each year.

Getting all roadway users home safely every day

On National Move Over Day and every day, HAAS Alert is working with first responders, roadway workers, and all stakeholders in working to the transportation ecosystem to create safer and more connected roadways. We encourage everyone to join us in this mission by staying alert on the road and familiarizing yourself with your state’s Move Over laws. Learn more about your state’s Move Over laws