Drivers Often Ignore Roadside Move Over Laws

A new AAA study reveals that over one-third of drivers fail to change lanes or slow down for vehicles stopped on road shoulders.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Car Types

Isometric editorial illustration of a highway shoulder with a bright amber geometric hazard light, representing road safety policy. — A recent AAA report highlights that over one-third of U.S. drivers fail to change lanes or slow down for roadside hazards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you always slow down or change lanes for vehicles stopped on the shoulder?

Data from an October 2026 AAA report shows 36% of motorists do not move over or slow down for vehicles with hazard lights, despite move-over laws existing in all 50 states. This failure to comply persists even though 90% of drivers claim they follow these safety requirements.

Why it matters

Many motorists mistakenly believe move-over protections only apply to emergency vehicles, unaware that roadside hazards pose a deadly risk to all stranded drivers and workers. This gap in perception contributes to thousands of traffic fatalities annually.

While 90% of drivers report following safety laws, actual observation shows only 64% change lanes or reduce speed near disabled vehicles. More than 2,100 people were killed on road shoulders between 2019 and 2023.

The players

AAA

This federation of motor clubs provides roadside assistance, insurance, and automotive research services to members across North America.

The details

Drivers are legally required to move over or slow down for stopped vehicles displaying hazard lights, yet compliance remains inconsistent. The study highlights that the danger to roadside workers and stranded motorists is significant, as evidenced by the 15 AAA service providers killed in 2025 alone.

Between 2019 and 2023, more than 2,100 people were killed on road shoulders.
In 2025, 15 AAA roadside service providers were killed in traffic crashes.
The AAA study on move-over law compliance was released in October 2026.

Roadmap

The automotive industry continues to focus on advanced driver-assistance systems, but these technological strides often conflict with the persistent human failure to observe basic roadway safety laws. As vehicles become more autonomous, the transition requires bridging the gap between passive safety tech and active driver awareness on road shoulders.

Drivers must proactively move over or slow down when they see any vehicle with hazard lights to avoid significant legal penalties and ensure the safety of stranded individuals. Ignoring these laws contributes to thousands of annual fatalities and increases the risk of serious highway collisions.

The takeaway

Road safety depends on every driver consistently moving over for any vehicle displaying hazard lights, not just official emergency cars. Adopting this habit is a vital step in reducing the high number of preventable shoulder-related traffic fatalities.