New AAA Study Shows Washington Drivers Need to Put the “Slow Down” in “Slow Down, Move Over”

BELLEVUE, WA — A new AAA Foundation study shows that while most Washington drivers know to “Move Over” when approaching a tow truck or emergency vehicle on the roadside, the other half of “Slow Down, Move Over” isn’t resonating enough. This October is Slow Down, Move Over awareness month, and AAA Washington is reminding drivers that when they see a tow truck, police or other emergency vehicle, or construction/maintenance vehicle stopped on the side of the road, they need to slow down in addition to moving over a lane.

The study, which surveyed drivers nationwide as well as those in Washington state about their understanding of the Slow Down, Move Over law, found that even as most Washington drivers know to move over a lane when approaching an emergency or work zone, far fewer drivers understand they also need to slow down.

• 74% of Washington drivers report moving over around a stopped tow truck, but only 50% report slowing down, and just 36% report doing both.
• For a police vehicle, 72% say they move over, 55% say they slow down, and 35% report doing both.

Another important finding was that gaps remain when it comes to recognizing what types of vehicles the Slow Down, Move Over law applies to. The research showed that only 44% recognize that state law requires special action around a stopped tow truck, while 52% recognize it applying to a stopped police vehicle.

“AAA Washington is reminding drivers this October to remember that when you see a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck on the side of the highway or road, slowing down is part of the equation just as much as moving over is,” said Megan West, chief experience officer for AAA Washington. “We want all of our emergency responders and tow truck operators to come home safely at the end of the day, and by remembering to slow your speed and moving over a lane, we can be a part of the solution.”

Nationally, from 2019 to 2023, over 2,100 people were struck and killed while stranded or working on the roadside. In 2025, AAA responded to more than 30 million roadside events near active traffic, and 15 service providers were killed in Slow Down, Move Over-related incidents.

"Slow down, move over is a message that drivers may have heard many times, but it can feel inconvenient to actually put the message into practice when encountering a stopped vehicle that suddenly appears on the side of the road,” said John Bundy, automotive services manager at AAA Washington. “Please remember, slowing down and moving over shouldn't be something you do because it is the law. It should be something you do so that every emergency roadside professional and first responder makes it home safely."

Washington state law requires drivers approaching an emergency work zone with a stopped first responder, tow truck, construction or maintenance, or other authorized vehicles, to both change lanes and slow to 10 mph below the speed limit, or slow to 50 mph if the speed limit is over 60 mph.

The AAA Foundation study was conducted in 2025 and released in March 2026. It surveyed 5,887 drivers nationwide, including 788 drivers from the Pacific region, which includes Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Hawaii.

As a membership organization serving more than 1.2 million members across the state, AAA Washington stands behind safer mobility for its members and the technicians who assist them.

The organization continues to champion programs and initiatives designed to improve roadside safety for drivers and the people who come to their aid. For example, beginning this year, new drivers under age 25 are required to complete a no-cost online course focused on work zone and first responder safety—something that AAA Washington advocated for.

For more information about AAA Washington’s efforts to improve road safety for Washingtonians, visit https://wa.aaa.com/impact.

About AAA Washington

For 120 years, AAA Washington has championed safer mobility, preserving the area’s natural beauty, and showcasing Washington as an unrivaled travel destination. It has long supported communities across the Pacific Northwest, including through its School Safety Patrol program and Road Ready events. More than 1.2 million members across Washington and Northern Idaho turn to AAA Washington for trusted services like automotive, travel, and perks. In addition to being the largest independent personal-lines insurance agency in Washington, it also offers the new Auto Club MAPFRE Insurance Company’s products under the AAA Insurance brand.  

 Founded in 1904, AAA Washington is a not-for-profit based in Bellevue, Wash. It remains one of the most trusted travel and automotive brands in the U.S. and was voted a Best Place to Work and the Best Travel/Tourism Company.