Blumenthal & Braun Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Support Slow Down, Move Over Laws

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan resolution to raise awareness of Slow Down, Move Over state laws to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities, and to recognize the important role law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, tow truck operators, and transportation workers play in road safety. 

“Our first responders and roadside assistance crews put their safety at risk every day to help people on America’s roads. Every state has laws directing drivers to reduce their speed or to move over if a vehicle is stopped on the side of the road, yet tragic collisions that injure and kill roadside assistance workers like Corey Iodice continue to happen. This resolution amplifies the simple yet effective way to keep workers safe on the roads: Slow Down and Move Over,” said Blumenthal.

“They call Indiana ‘The Crossroads of America,’ so as an Indiana Senator, I know how important Move Over Laws are in keeping our roadways safe. I’m a proud co-leader of the National Move Over Law Day Resolution, which would raise awareness for state laws like we have in Indiana which ensure that highway traffic slows down 10 MPH and moves over when passing stopped ambulances, police or fire vehicles, and other construction and survey automobiles. Ultimately, this initiative would save lives of both those traveling in vehicles and our police and first responders stopped on the road – tragedies which could be easily avoided. Creating safer roads is a step in the right direction towards building more prosperous communities everywhere, and I believe the resolution will help,” said Braun.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have Slow Down, Move Over laws that direct motorists to reduce speed or change lanes for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. Despite these laws being in place, many motorists are unaware of them and roadside fatalities and injuries continue. On average, an emergency first responder is struck and killed every 4.65 days working on America's roadways, with 65 deaths occurring in 2021.

The Slow Down, Move Over resolution (S. Res. 734) is inspired by Corey Iodice, a tow truck operator for his family’s business, who was tragically struck and killed on the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut in 2020 while assisting a driver. Earlier this year, Cindy Iodice, Corey’s sister, launched the Flagman Project, a non-profit organization to raise awareness and educate drivers on roadside dangers faced by first responders and highway workers in memory of her late brother.

“On behalf of the Iodice family, we strongly support this bipartisan effort led by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) towards creation of a national move over day,” said Iodice. “It is because of the tragic yet avoidable death of our brother Corey, who was fatally struck and killed while assisting a disabled motorist in CT. that the Iodice family created FlagmanSafety.com, a national non-profit organization. Our primary mission is to save lives and prevent injuries of Traffic Incident Management Responders and the driving public. We fully stand with our U.S. Senators and others to raise awareness through education and accountability to the SDMO laws across the country.” 

The resolution is supported by a number of organizations, including the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA), American Automobile Association (AAA), American Association of State Troopers (AAST), American Driver & Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA), Connecticut Department of Transportation, Eastern Transportation Coalition, Governor’s Highway Safety Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), National Safety Council, and National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).

The text of the resolution is available for download here.

-30-