As the owner of Sunny Day Towing and Auto Transport, I am proud to serve our community by providing reliable roadside assistance and towing services. Our team is dedicated to ensuring the safety of drivers on the roads of Charlotte, and recent developments in local traffic laws have prompted us to emphasize the importance of road safety even more.
On of May 9, 2023, the North Carolina Senate has passed Senate Bill 638, which aims to protect people stranded on the roadside by expanding the state’s “move over” traffic laws. Currently, these laws require drivers to switch lanes or slow down for law enforcement and emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
The new bill extends this requirement to disabled vehicles stopped within 12 feet of the road with flashing lights or hazards on1. Violating this law could result in a $250 fine.
As roadside assistance providers, our job involves helping stranded motorists and disabled vehicles on the road. We fully support this new legislation, not only because it help us on the job, but also as it prioritizes the safety of both those who are stranded and those providing roadside assistance.
As roadside assistance providers, our job involves helping stranded motorists and disabled vehicles on the road. We fully support this new legislation, not only because it help us on the job, but also as it prioritizes the safety of both those who are stranded and those providing roadside assistance.
In addition to first responders and roadside assistance providers like ourselves that the “move over” law was designed to help, I also wanted to call out the safety of the pedestrians and bicyclist in Charlotte, where the city ranks poorly in terms of bicycle safety. Charlotte received an overall score of 1.3 out of 5 in a study by People For Bikes and has a cyclist fatality rate of 5.69 per million population.
By raising awareness of this law, we hope to contribute to a safer environment for all road users.
Improving Safety for Everyone on the Road
Road safety is a shared responsibility that includes drivers, pedestrians, stranded motorists, and roadside assistance providers. Here are some suggestions to improve safety for everyone on the road:
- Drivers: In addition to adhering to the “move over” law, drivers should maintain a safe distance from stopped vehicles and slow down in severe weather conditions. Stay alert and avoid distractions to ensure a quick response to any unexpected situations.
- Stranded motorists: If your vehicle breaks down, try to find a safe location away from traffic to stop. Turn on your hazard lights or use reflective triangles to alert other drivers and call for assistance. Remain in your vehicle if it is safe to do so, and stay aware of passing traffic.
- Pedestrians: Always use sidewalks and crosswalks when available. Be visible to drivers by wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially at night or in low-light conditions. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street to ensure they see you.
- Roadside assistance providers: At Sunny Day Towing Company, we prioritize the safety of our team by using high-visibility clothing, setting up warning signs or cones around the work area, and positioning our vehicles to provide a protective barrier when possible. We encourage other roadside assistance providers to follow similar safety measures.
In addition to supporting the expanded “move over” law, we also encourage Charlotte residents to be mindful of the safety of first responders. North Carolina’s State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles. With severe weather conditions making roads more dangerous especially during the sudden summer storms we often encounter in the area, it is essential to stay alert and vigilant while driving.
As a responsible towing company, we are committed to the safety of our staff, customers, and fellow road users in Charlotte. We stand behind the new “move over” legislation and urge all drivers to adhere to these laws for the sake of everyone’s safety on the road.
Together, we can make North Carolina roads a safer place for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
