Roadway Crashes are the Leading Cause of Occupational Fatalities.
The Tennessee Department of Safety reports that each year, more than 100 highway and street construction workers die because of vehicle crashes or equipment accidents on the job. Another 20,000 are injured in those incidents.
The Law
Tennessee’s “move-over” law creates a safety zone to protect police, firefighters and other emergency personnel, as well as utility service equipment, highway maintenance vehicles and stationary recovery vehicles (wreckers). Motorists are required to either slow down or move over when these vehicles are properly marked and parked on the side of the road. The penalty for violating the “Move Over Law” in Tennessee is a maximum fine of up to $500 and possibly up to 30 days in jail.
On a four-lane road – If safety and traffic conditions allow, a driver approaching a utility vehicle with flashing lights should move into the far lane.
On a two-lane road – If changing lanes is not possible, a driver should reduce speed when approaching a utility vehicle with flashing lights.