HOUSTON — October 19 is National Move Over Awareness Day.
Texas’ "Move Over or Slow Down" law requires drivers to move over a lane when roadside workers or first responders have stopped on the side of the road.
Look out for flashing lights and if you can’t move over, you are supposed to slow down 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
“Right now here in Texas, the 'slow down move over' law only applies to emergency vehicles with those overhead lights flashing,” said AAA spokesman Doug Shupe.
Shupe said they are working to get it extended for others.
“We want to expand the law to include those drivers who encountered car trouble and are broken down on the side of the road, or those drivers who had a fender bender and pulled off the highway,” said Shupe.
Drivers like Heather Haenes, who got into a fender bender 17 years ago and pulled over on a busy highway in Austin.
“I knew it wasn’t a great idea to be on the side of the road, just a big gut instinct,” said Haenes.
She and the other driver involved pulled to the side of the road to look at the damage, but another car was driving too fast.
“Within 30 seconds, another car veered off the side of the road and hit us,” said Haenes.
It was at this moment Haenes’ life was changed forever.
“I unfortunately was standing in between the two cars and was severely injured and amputated both of my legs above the knee,” said Haenes.
After processing what happened, Haenes found a new way to live life, from rock climbing, and surfing. She hasn’t let the accident slow her down, but she has a message for other drivers.
“Anybody that sees this story also extend that to their loved ones and be that gentle reminder to slow down,” said Haenes
With millions of drivers gearing up to travel this holiday season, AAA and Haenes want to make sure people get home safely.
“We are hoping with technology, public education and just awareness, we are going to protect our road side heroes,” said Shupe.
“Reduce the distractions and take care of everybody on the road,” said Haenes.
AAA reports 23% of drivers report not even knowing about the move over or slow down law and 30% know about it, but don’t understand it fully.
Shupe said that each year on average, 24 emergency responders, including tow truck drivers, are hit and killed on the roadside.
Of those fatal crashes, 89% were in speed limits of 55 mph or higher and 63% happened in darkness.
Haenes' hopes after people hear her story, those numbers will drop.
AAA says it has new technology to help drivers stay alert while driving on the roads.