What is the purpose of the "slow down move over" law?

The primary purpose of the "slow down move over" law is to protect emergency responders working on the roadside. This law mandates that drivers must reduce their speed and, if safe to do so, change lanes when approaching an emergency scene where responders are present. The intention behind this legislation is to minimize the risk of accidents that can occur when vehicles are passing on a highway or road, where responders may be exposed to oncoming traffic while assisting those in need or managing incidents. By enhancing safety measures for these personnel, the law plays a critical role in ensuring they can perform their duties without the additional threat of injury from passing vehicles. This protective measure ultimately aims to contribute to a safer working environment for emergency responders and to potentially reduce the number of accidents involving them.