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AAA Washington, Partners Release “Slow Down. Move Over” Public Service Announcement Following Tow Truck Technician Injuries and a Death

Emergency Responders From Nine Organizations Urge Drivers To Protect Them, Follow This Law

Downloadable- :30 PSA, 3:54 Extended Version, Raw video-Garza’s Auto Repair crash

BELLEVUE, Wash. — On the eve of what is predicted to be the busiest Independence Day Holiday ever for road trips, AAA Washington — in partnership with Clark County Fire District 6 and Chappelle’s Towing, LLC. — released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) asking drivers to follow Washington’s “Slow Down, Move Over” law.

When traveling on a highway with at least two lanes in each direction, drivers who spot flashing emergency lights ahead must proceed with caution. By law, if it is safe to do so, move one lane away from the scene to create a buffer zone for workers. If moving over is not possible, drivers need to slow down to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. On roadways with fewer than four lanes of traffic, drivers approaching an emergency scene need to slow down and yield the right-of-way bypassing the scene from a safe distance.

The need to remind drivers of the law became urgent when, in just two months, two tow truck technicians were hit and injured while working to remove the disabled vehicles of AAA members from the interstate.

“As a traffic safety advocacy group and an emergency roadside service provider, educating the driving public is a key part of what we do here at AAA Washington,” said public relations manager, Kelly Just. “We’re using this PSA to explain Washington’s ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ Law, emphasize that tow truck operators are emergency responders and urge drivers to take action and protect these workers who want to go home to their families at the end of the day.”

Shortly after tow truck technician, David Rios, lost his leg in one of these collisions, his employer — Chappelle’s Towing, LLC. — and Clark County Fire District 6 joined AAA Washington to create the PSA with the support of and participation from WSDOT highway crew, WSP troopers and operators from Speed’s Towing, TLC Towing & Recovery, and Triple J Towing.

Just days before these emergency responders assembled at a Clark County Fire District 6 facility to record the PSA, the towing community suffered another tragedy. A Longview, Wash. tow company owner and two others were struck and killed along I-5, further highlighting the dangerous nature of this work and the need for the “Slow Down, Move Over” message.

Analysis by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showed tow truck operators work in one of the most dangerous careers in the U.S. — 15 times deadlier than all other private industries combined. An average of 24 emergency responders, including tow operators, die annually while working along our roadways, that’s one person every other week. That is a number AAA Washington and its partner organizations hope to reverse with its “Slow Down, Move Over” campaign.

MEDIA CONTACTS

CHAPELLE’S TOWING, LLC.: Operations Manager, Ambra Peters |C: 503-504-1983
CLARK COUNTY FIRE DIST 6: Public Information Officer, David Schmitke |O: 360-576-1195
WSDOT: Communications & Media Relations, Celeste Dimichina |O: 360-905-2057
C: 360-787-8700
WSP: Public Information Officer, Sgt. Darren Wright | O: 360-596-4014 | C: 360-239-0619

About AAA Washington:

AAA Washington was established in 1904 by 10 prominent Seattleites determined to champion the betterment of motoring conditions and laws, the preservation of Washington state’s natural beauty and the promotion of Washington as an unrivaled tourist destination. Nearly 120 years later, the club continues to pursue these on behalf of its 1.2 million members. 

Members of AAA Washington receive exclusive benefits, including roadside assistance, discounts on hotels and rental cars, comprehensive insurance options, and personalized trip planning. AAA Washington was named a Best Place to Work by Puget Sound Business Journal and voted the best Travel/Tourism Company by 425 Business readers in 2023, and AAA was named one of the most trusted travel and automotive brands in the U.S. Additional information is available through the company’s Washington and northern Idaho stores and at www.AAA.com. 

About AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

Established in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by conducting research into their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research is used to develop educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users. Visit www.AAAFoundation.org.

Media Contact

Fearey o/b/o AAA Washington 
AAA@feareygroup.com 
206-838-9209 

Twitter: @AAA_Washington
Facebook: AAA Washington
Instagram: aaawashington

Interested in planning your next road trip with AAA Washington? Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, TripTik maps, and more. Find more Pacific Northwest scenic drives and road trips.

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