From Lori Weaver Hawkins
Manager, Public & Government Affairs, AAA
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Rep. John Blanton (R-Dist. 92) was recently honored as a Leading Kentucky Traffic Safety Advocate by the AAA Clubs of Kentucky. In presenting the award, AAA pointed to the lawmaker’s central role in the passage of Kentucky’s Slow Down, Move Over law expansion during the 2024 legislative session.
“We applaud Rep. Blanton for his leadership in the Legislature’s passage of the expansion of Kentucky’s Slow Down, Move Over law. The law now protects motorists at the roadside just as it has protected first responders for over 20 years,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs manager, AAA Blue Grass. “The side of a road is an extremely dangerous place, with vehicles passing by at high rates of speed. As a strong traffic safety advocate, Rep. Blanton recognized this danger and AAA recognizes his role in guiding this legislation across the finish line.”
As chair of the House Transportation Committee, AAA pointed to Rep. Blanton’s pivotal role in helping to usher the bill through the House so Kentucky’s Slow Down, Move Over law protects all those at the roadside.
“This life-saving law provides additional protection for all motorists stranded at the roadside,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “The AAA Clubs of Kentucky are recognizing Rep. Blanton for his role in advancing this measure. By extending this law’s reach to disabled vehicles, the Legislature is helping to save lives. We greatly appreciate Rep. Blanton’s steadfast leadership and recognize him as a Leading Kentucky Traffic Safety Advocate.”
Expansion of Kentucky’s Slow Down, Move Over law became effective July 15. The commonwealth has had a law requiring drivers to “slow down and move over” to protect first responders, tow truck operators and others working roadside since 2003. But after SB 107 was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear in April, the existing law was expanded.
Starting July 15, motorists approaching a disabled vehicle displaying emergency flashers, flares or other type of warning signal, are required:
• to move over a lane, away from the disabled vehicle, if safe to do so; or
• reduce their speed if unable to change lanes or if on a roadway of fewer than four lanes.
Kentucky State Police crash data shows that in Kentucky alone, during the five-year period beginning September 1, 2019, and ending September 1, 2024, there were 29 people killed in crashes while either leaving or approaching their vehicles. During the same time period, 17 people were killed in crashes while changing tires or performing other work on their vehicles.
Despite all 50 states having some form of Move Over law, motorists routinely indicate when surveyed that they are either unaware of these laws or are uncertain which groups or types of vehicles fall under the law. Expansion of Kentucky’s existing Slow Down, Move Over law reduces confusion by requiring motorists to extend caution to anyone displaying flashing lights on or around a stationary vehicle stopped at the side of the road.
AAA has been instrumental in the passage of Move Over laws across the country to protect first responders, law enforcement officers, roadside assistance providers and other roadside workers. The Auto Club has since been working to expand existing laws to include all workers and motorists at the side of the road. This year, Kentucky joined 20-plus other states in extending these protections to civilian motorists with a disabled vehicle.
