The safety of roadside responders in the U.S. is becoming an increasing concern, with studies showing a rise in risky behaviors, distractions, and fatalities. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a study and found that roadside responders are being “struck and killed nearly four times more than reported.” These roadside responders include tow truck drivers, roadside technicians, mobile mechanics, and safety service patrols.
The foundation revealed that 123 roadside responders were killed in the span from 2015 through 2021, which is significantly higher than the 34 fatalities reflected in national crash statistics during the same period. The data also showed that the majority of these incidents occur on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher, and most did not involve rain or slippery conditions, indicating that “speed, impairment, and distraction” are likely factors.
Additionally, the study highlights the importance of increasing awareness among drivers about “Move Over” laws implemented in all 50 states, as one-third of Americans are reportedly not aware of these laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also reported that traffic-related incidents continue to be the leading cause of death among on-duty law enforcement officers, with approximately 100 crashes resulting in law enforcement officer fatalities in the last five years.
The AAA study serves as a call to action, advocating for state police crash reports to specifically note when crash victims are roadside assistance providers instead of labeling them as “pedestrians.” It also calls for drivers to pay more attention and give space to anyone on the shoulder of the road as a means of improving safety.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it is imperative to address the safety of all roadside responders to prevent further tragedies. Click through to the study to explore more details on the scope of the problem and potential solutions.
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