Commentary

Road Construction - Move Over Law

Many motorists might be surprised to find out that there is currently no law in Colorado that protects road maintenance or roadside assistance personnel who are working along the side of the road.

There is a Move Over law that has been in effect since 2005, but that only addresses emergency vehicles (identified in the law as ambulance, fire and police vehicles). This law requires motorists to move one lane away before passing any emergency vehicle that is stopped on the side of the road with its lights flashing. If an adjacent lane is not available, then motorists are required to slow to a safe speed and provide adequate distance before passing. The penalty for failing to comply is four points on your driver's license and a fine up to $999.

The law was passed following numerous incidents where emergency personnel, law enforcement, and motorists with disabled cars were injured as a result of traffic not slowing down or moving over.

What the current law does not protect are maintenance vehicles such as Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) vehicles and roadside assistance vehicles such as tow trucks, even though their operators are just as vulnerable to being struck by traffic. In 2004, 1,906 crashes occurred in Colorado work zones, resulting in 768 injuries and 14 fatalities.

Currently, 17 states have laws that protect both emergency and roadside assistance vehicles when they are working or helping motorists along the side of the road.

AAA Colorado believes that Colorado's current Move Over law should be expanded to include CDOT and roadside assistance vehicles, and AAA will work to do so in the near future with its traffic safety partners.

It should be noted that AAA Colorado remains firmly against new traffic laws that are passed only for revenue-generating purposes. AAA Colorado sees the expansion of the Move Over law as a way to protect road maintenance and roadside assistance personnel, who provide critical services.

To make your voice heard on this important issue, go to www.aaa.com/safety, write to the Editor, EnCompass, AAA Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas, Denver, 80222, or email editor@colorado.aaa.com.