Roadside workers hope proposed changes to ‘Move Over’ law can help protect them
Studies by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration show that one tow truck driver is killed on the job every week.
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Proposed changes to New Jersey’s “Move Over” laws are aiming to protect roadside workers and pedestrians.
The state’s original “Move Over” law was passed in 2009. All states across the country passed similar laws by 2012. The laws require drivers to change lanes or significantly slow down while approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the roadway.
Roadside workers like tow truck drivers say that they hope that changes to the law can help protect them. Studies by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration show that one tow truck driver is killed on the job every week.
"The biggest thing for people to know is to move over. Give us some [room to work], you know? Our shoulders are only so wide,” says Scott Kukulya, a driver with Racz’s Towing. “It doesn't take much for one person to be on their phone and drift over and take me out of the game. My family wants me to come home tonight. If they'd only listen, we'd be alright."
Kukulya has been working as a tow truck driver in New Jersey for two decades. He was once also a volunteer firefighter. Both jobs, he says, bring him the satisfaction that he's helping people get out of harm's way. He says he doesn't see the same regard for his safety as a tow truck driver.
Legislation is moving through the state Senate to include disabled vehicles, which would help protect pedestrians on the side of the road while they wait for assistance.
