Texas Woman Who Lost Both Legs in Crash Urges Drivers to Move Over or Slow Down

Key findings involving roadside worker fatality crashes:

• 89% occurred at locations with speed limits of 55 miles per hour or higher, almost all of which were on Interstates or other limited-access highways
• 84% occurred in crashes with no indication of precipitation or slippery road conditions
• 63% occurred during darkness, of which nearly two-thirds were at locations without lighting
• 63% occurred in crashes in which the striking vehicle left the road before striking the roadside assistance provider, the provider’s vehicle, or the disabled vehicle (likely the result of impairment, fatigue, or distraction)

The AAA Foundation also surveyed tow workers, emergency responders, and road maintenance workers on their experiences with roadside jobs. Of those surveyed, 60% had experienced a near miss while working at the roadside, while an astonishing 15% had survived a passing vehicle hitting them.

“Surveys by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also indicate that many people do not realize how risky it is to be along the side of the road close to fast-moving traffic,” said AAA Texas Corporate Communications Manager Doug Shupe. “All drivers should remember that the people who come to our rescue on the side of the road need space to do their work, and they also want to get home safely to their families at the end of the day.”

AAA Foundation for traffic safety research has found:

• 23% of drivers report not being aware of the Move Over law in their state and 30% do not completely understand the law
• 77% are aware of the law and most (91%) say they are comfortable complying with the law
• However, among people who do not comply with Move Over laws, 42%thought this behavior was only somewhat or not dangerous at all to roadside emergency workers
• Other reasons given by drivers who do not comply with the law include feeling that they don’t have enough space to change lanes safely and that slowing down could cause a crash with another vehicle

All 50 states have Move Over or Slow Down laws but, in some states, like Texas, it applies only to stopped emergency vehicles and tow trucks with lights flashing. That is why AAA Texas is advocating for the expansion of the law to include all stopped vehicles, including drivers who are experiencing vehicle trouble or who pulled off the lanes of traffic following a crash.

“I was just trying to get off of the highway, and I knew it was a horrible idea to be on the side of that highway,” said Austin resident Heather Haenes.

On January 9, 2007, Haenes was rear-ended after she slowed for traffic that came to a stop. When Haenes and the driver who hit her pulled over to the shoulder of MoPac to check on each other and exchange contact information, a third driver swerved to avoid a delivery truck and slammed into the crashed vehicles on the side of the highway.

“We were outside our vehicles for 30 seconds, at most, when the crash happened. It was really quick,” said Haenes.

Haenes, who had been standing between the two parked cars when the third vehicle hit them, was crushed between the vehicles. Paramedics had to amputate both of her legs at the scene before they rushed her to the hospital.

“I’m just very lucky that it was just limbs, so mobility was my disability,” said Haenes. “Fortunately, there is a lot of adaptive equipment and professionals who have helped me in the years following the crash. But even to this day, seeing people on the side of the road, I hold my breath every time.”

To protect those working or stranded at the roadside, AAA recommends drivers:

• Remain alert, avoid distractions, and focus on the task of driving.
• Keep an eye out for situations where emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility service vehicles or disabled vehicles are stopped on the side of the road.
• When you see these situations, slow down and if possible, move one lane over and away from the people and vehicles stopped at the side of the road.

This Saturday, October 19, is National Move Over Day, which is a day to remind the public about the importance of following Move Over or Slow Down laws.