Lexington police, AAA Bluegrass urge drivers to slow down and move over for roadside workers

Lexington police and AAA Bluegrass renewed an urgent public-safety reminder for drivers across the region, warning that roadside workers and motorists who are stopped on the shoulder face heightened risk if other vehicles do not slow down and move over when they can safely do so.

In the guidance publicized this week, the agencies emphasized that when a crash, breakdown, or road hazard requires a vehicle to stop on the roadside, drivers should reduce speed and give extra space to workers operating near traffic. The reminder used the message that “your life is on the line,” reflecting the agencies’ focus on preventing secondary crashes.

Lexington police said drivers should treat roadside operations as active work zones, including situations involving stranded motorists waiting for assistance and crews responding to traffic incidents. AAA Bluegrass echoed that motorists must not cut too close or assume a shoulder stop is safe for travel at normal speeds.

The agencies’ call to action centers on two related behaviors. First, drivers should slow down when approaching a vehicle stopped along the road, particularly when emergency lights, hazard lights, or other visible warnings indicate that responders and service vehicles are nearby. Second, when conditions allow, drivers should move over to create additional room between their vehicle and the stopped one.

AAA Bluegrass and Lexington police framed the reminder as practical and immediate: roadside assistance often begins because something already went wrong on the roadway, and traffic passing too quickly can turn a minor roadside event into a multi-vehicle collision. They urged motorists to remain alert, watch for workers and motorists on foot or near stopped vehicles, and be prepared to adjust speed further as they approach the scene.

Both agencies also pointed to the broader responsibility to protect public safety personnel who do not control the environment around them, including tow operators, maintenance staff, and first responders. Their message underscored that giving room to workers is part of responsible driving, not an optional courtesy.

The reminder arrives ahead of seasonal travel periods when road conditions can change and roadside incidents can increase, making clear rules for driver behavior especially important. Lexington police and AAA Bluegrass said motorists should follow local and state guidance for passing emergency vehicles and stopped roadside workers, and they encouraged the public to share the reminder with family and other drivers who may be traveling nearby.

As motorists prepare for upcoming trips, the agencies’ guidance aims to reduce preventable crashes on shoulders and work-zone edges by reinforcing consistent driver habits: slow down, scan ahead, and, when safe, move over to give responders and stranded motorists the space they need.