LMPD and AAA mark annual Slow Down Move Over Day, urging Kentucky motorists to move over for stopped vehicles

Louisville Metro Police Department and AAA are using this week’s annual Slow Down Move Over Day to remind Kentucky drivers of a simple roadside safety routine: slow down and, when it is safe to do so, move over for vehicles stopped along the roadway. The day is observed on the third Saturday of October each year, with the emphasis on protecting first responders and motorists whose vehicles may have broken down or been stopped due to a crash or other incident.

In a joint reminder tied to the observance, LMPD and AAA said motorists should treat stopped vehicles as a report to reduce risk rather than pass closely. The request focuses on roadside safety behavior during routine travel and during higher-traffic periods when crashes and breakdowns can increase traffic congestion and slow down traffic flow.

LMPD and AAA underscored the practical effect of the guidance for the people who are most vulnerable on the shoulder or in a stopped lane. When police vehicles, fire units, ambulances, tow trucks, or other roadside assistance vehicles are parked to manage a scene or provide help, drivers passing nearby may face sudden lane changes, limited visibility, and unexpected obstacles created by the incident itself.

The reminder also reflects a broader traffic-safety theme seen nationwide, where first responders and roadway workers are at elevated risk when motorists do not adjust their driving around stopped vehicles. Slow Down Move Over Day is intended to make that driving adjustment more consistent, not only in emergencies but also when a scene is being managed and pedestrians and workers may be present near traffic.

Local officials highlighted that the observance includes large, high-speed roadways where moving over may be possible but requires active decision-making by drivers. The WAVE report accompanying the reminder features a photo captioned from Interstate 264 in Louisville, illustrating the kinds of multi-lane corridors where the guidance is meant to be applied.

Motorists who see stopped vehicles should be prepared for conditions that change quickly, including sudden braking ahead, traffic slowing, and responders directing vehicles around a hazard. LMPD and AAA’s joint message is aimed at reducing the chance of secondary crashes that can occur when drivers fail to slow down or do not allow space for stopped vehicles and responders working on the side of the road.

As Slow Down Move Over Day is observed this October, LMPD and AAA’s outreach serves as a public reminder ahead of future months when weather, travel patterns, and roadway incidents may increase the number of stopped vehicles on Kentucky roads. Drivers are urged to follow the instruction every time they encounter stopped emergency or roadside vehicles, not only on the annual recognition day.

The agencies’ message comes as part of an ongoing push for roadway compliance and safer behavior around public-safety scenes, where families, community members, and working crews rely on predictable traffic flow to carry out response duties without additional harm. The reminder is designed to translate the expectation into everyday driving choices during commutes, trips, and roadside incidents.