North American safety groups promote Slow Down, Move Over Day

Ahead of North American-wide Slow Down, Move Over Day on October 17, 2026, safety organizations are highlighting the critical need for driver compliance to protect roadside workers. In Saskatchewan, drivers are required to slow to 60 km/h when approaching emergency or service vehicles with flashing lights.

A survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals a significant discrepancy between driver intent and actual behavior. While over 90% of drivers reported moving over or slowing down when asked, previous research showed that only 64% of vehicles subject to these laws actually changed lanes or reduced speed in practice.

Roadside fatalities remain a serious concern; between 2019 and 2023, more than 2,100 people were killed while working or stranded on roadsides. In 2025 alone, 15 service providers died in incidents related to Slow Down, Move Over laws. Experts emphasize that while awareness of these laws is high, many drivers still fail to respond correctly when encountering stopped vehicles.