The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) in collaboration with Colchester Fire & EMS and the Connecticut Construction Industries Association (CCIA), today announced the launch of a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign, “Real Lives” to raise awareness about the state's Move Over Law.
The PSA, which began airing on all Connecticut television outlets on Monday, September 16, emphasizes the importance of protecting emergency responders, roadside workers, construction workers, and anyone that is on the side of the road by following the Move Over Law. The campaign includes broadcast and cable TV, streaming TV, radio, streaming radio, paid social, video pre-roll and gas station radio.
WATCH: “Real Lives 1” and “Real Lives 2”
“CTDOT crews, construction workers, tow operators, and emergency responders face extreme danger while working on the roadways, often just feet from speeding traffic,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. “This new PSA campaign is designed to remind everyone to slow down and move over whenever they see a vehicle on the roadside. The Move Over Law is essential to preventing crashes, reducing injuries, and saving lives.”
Between 2017 and 2021, 16 people lost their lives in roadside crashes in Connecticut, with 13 of these fatalities occurring after dark. The Move Over Law, originally enacted in 2009 and expanded in 2017, was further strengthened last year. The law now applies even to one-lane roads, requiring drivers to slow down for all vehicles, including disabled vehicles, when they cannot physically move over.
Connecticut’s Move Over Law (Sec. 14-283b) requires drivers to slow down and move over for any vehicle stopped on the roadside, not just emergency vehicles. This law applies to all highways and side roads with two or more lanes in one direction. If it is not safe to change lanes, drivers must slow down and proceed with caution. Violators of the law may face fines, especially if their actions result in injury or death.
The “Real Lives” PSA features a variety of real individuals, not actors, that represent various essential roadside service roles including local and state law enforcement, a firefighter, an EMT, local and state maintainers, and a local tow truck operator. Their collective involvement underscores the wide range of people who rely on the Move Over Law for their safety.
“Roadside workers, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, public works employees, and tow truck operators, risk their lives every day while serving our communities,” said Fire Chief Steven Hoffman, Colchester Fire & EMS. “This PSA is about protecting those who protect us and ensuring that every roadside worker makes it home safely at the end of their shift.”
The PSA campaign aims to educate the public on the following key points of Connecticut's Move Over Law:
- Move Over: When approaching a stopped vehicle on the roadside, if you are on a highway with two or more lanes in one direction, safely move over one lane.
- Slow Down: If it is not safe to move over, drivers must slow down to a reasonable speed below the posted limit and proceed with caution.
- All Vehicles: The law applies to any stopped vehicle on the roadside, not just emergency or service vehicles.
- Penalties: Violators of the law may face fines, with penalties increasing significantly if a crash results in injury or death.
As part of the campaign, CTDOT, Colchester Fire & EMS, and CCIA are urging drivers to stay alert, avoid distractions, and be mindful of roadside workers. By following the Move Over Law, motorists can significantly reduce the risk of collisions and keep both workers and other drivers safe.
For more information about the Move Over Law and how you can help protect those working on the roadways, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/highwaysafetyoffice/traffic-safety-programs/move-over-law.