IDAHO, USA — Between 2015 and 2021, 123 roadside assistance workers were killed by passing vehicles while they were on the job and assisting AAA customers, according to a study by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The organization stated the problem may be "worse than originally feared."
AAA said the number of roadside fatalities over the six-year span is four times higher than original data reflected, citing inconsistent reporting guidelines for different U.S. states as the cause for error, resulting in mislabeling the deceased workers as pedestrians.
Conventional crash data documented an approximate 34 workers killed in roadside incidents in the six years of data reviewed, according to AAA - a value since increased to 123.
"There's no question that more should be done to protect our roadside workers and first responders," said AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde. "For every person who is struck and killed by a passing car, other highway heroes suffer devastating injuries or experience frightening near misses, to say nothing of significant damage to their vehicles."
Additional data from AAA's research showed that 89% of roadside crashes happened on stretches of road with a legal speed limit of 55 mph or greater.
The research also found that a surprising 84% of the incidents occurred when weather conditions were optimal and wet/slippery roads were not a factor - supporting AAA's claim that vehicle speed, impaired driving and distractions are the leading causes to the roadside crashes and worker deaths, not poor weather conditions.
"Every second that a tow truck technician or first responder spends in harm's way elevates their risk of being struck by a passing vehicle," Conde said. "We hope that our research will reinforce training that minimizes working or standing on the traffic-facing side of an incident whenever possible, and what to do if another car gets too close."
In response to the recently recalculated triple-digit death toll, AAA Idaho said that in addition to furthering the 'Slow Down, Move Over' initiative and accompanied laws, the organization plans to invest in new vehicle-mounted electronic signs on roadside worker vehicles to alert drivers.
"Every state has a Slow Down, Move Over law that requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights to slow down below the speed limit and, if possible, move over at least one lane to allow more room for roadside workers to safely do their job," Conde advised.
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