Move over Kentucky: It’s the law

To the editor:

Every year, there are hundreds of reports of accidents occurring on the side of the road by a passing motorist striking an officer, tow truck driver or other emergency responder. ‘Move over Kentucky’ was initiated in 2005 by the transportation department of Kentucky. What the law means is that any passing motorists traveling Kentucky’s roadways are required to slow down, use caution or stop and get over when they see a law enforcement or emergency vehicle stopped alongside the road with its lights flashing. By following this law, it allows for emergency personnel to perform the task they are there to do safely and efficiently, without worrying about being hit by a passing motorist.

This is something that I believe in very strongly. I am a tow truck driver here in town, and think this is something we need to follow. For example, today I was loading a vehicle on the side of the road. Unfortunately I had to pull my wrecker forward into the road to load the disabled vehicle. I had all of my emergency lights flashing and was also wearing the safety vest that emergency responders are required to wear, when a truck came flying out of nowhere, and seeing me, didn’t slow down at all. I had to jump out of the way to  prevent getting run over by this vehicle. How would you like to be the one to tell my family that you weren’t following the law when you ran me over?

It really comes down to this. Everyday, emergency responders put their lives on the line to serve the public, to serve you. Everyday, we take risks to do our job to the best of our abilities. Please do us a favor in return and try not to make our jobs more dangerous for us... they are already dangerous enough. Move over Kentucky: It’s the law.

Tomi Jean Dailey

Dailey’s Towing Service