The mission of the Slow Down, Move Over movement is simply to save human lives. Its goal is to make the public aware of the dangers of working and being broken down on the side of the roadway and what they can do to reduce the risk of injury or death. The public needs to be aware of their surroundings while operating a motor vehicle and take accountability for what they can control being behind the wheel and the potential risks they can divert. 

When the public sees emergency responders, highway maintenance workers, tow operators, and regular vehicles on the side of the roadway, we need them to have an automatic reaction to initiate the necessary safety precautions by reducing their speed and, if possible, moving into lanes away from the vehicle(s) and worker(s) ahead. 

We aim to bring awareness to all generations of drivers. However the message needs to get across for its severity to sink in; we hope to send it and reach as many people as possible because our cause is your cause. The lives we save could be yours and your families. So, together, let's save as many loved ones as possible by slowing down, moving over, and spreading the message.

On October 19, 2023, a tragic incident occurred on the side of Interstate 575 in Cherokee County, Georgia. Frank Ingram, a dedicated tow truck operator and owner of Ingram Towing and Impound, was fatally struck by a vehicle while attempting to rescue a stranded dump truck. Despite the presence of his 50-ton wrecker with flashing lights indicating an emergency situation, the driver failed to slow down or move over as required by law.

Frank's untimely death is not an isolated incident; it highlights the dangers that tow truck operators face every day while performing their duties. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one tow truck driver is killed on the job every six days making it one of America's most dangerous professions.

Currently in Georgia, hitting and killing an emergency responder due to failure to slow down or move over carries only a $500 fine for first offenders. This penalty does not reflect the severity nor consequences of such reckless actions which can result in loss of life as seen in Frank's case.

Please join us in honoring Frank Ingram’s memory and protecting others by signing this petition showing support for our cause and demanding harsher laws against those who disregard road safety protocols around emergency responders and people on the side of the roadway. 

Move Over Law: Georgia Code, Title 40-6-16.

A. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:

1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or

2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

B. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary towing or recovery vehicle or a stationary highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:

1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the towing, recovery, or highway maintenance vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or

2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

C . Violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.

Additions we want to add to the Law

-          The fine for failing to move over is a Class B misdemeanor with up to $500 fine. The law does not address anything about repeat offenders or increased penalties for Injury or Death. We would like to see increased penalties for these. Each offense should see an increase in the fine. If a person is injured due to failing to comply with the move-over law, the fine should be increased from a Class B(lesser) misdemeanor to a Class A(serious) and a fine ranging from $2500-$5000. If death results, the penalty should automatically be increased to a felony charge of the Move Over Law.

-          The law requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and tow trucks but it does not state anything about moving over for regular vehicles. Meaning, that if any vehicle is struck on side of the road that is not an emergency vehicle, the offender can not be charged with a move-over violation. We wish for regular vehicles and persons to be represented within the move-over law. 

How You Can Spread Awareness and Reduce Risk

• Educate your friends and family on the law and its importance. The most important people to educate are newly licensed drivers and those with their permit.
• Explain the high-risk dangers of working on the side of the road.
• Eliminate texting/typing while driving. Hands-free headsets and headphones are encouraged.