Referencing Connecticut tow truck operator Corey Iodice’s tragic death in 2020, Blumenthal questioned Buttigieg about NHTSA’s authority to bolster “Slow Down, Move Over” laws to ensure maximum safety for motorists and emergency vehicles stopped on the road. “Corey was just doing his job working for his family’s business when he was killed by a driver who did not slow down or move over. His death could have been avoided.

Connecticut like other states has a move over law that directs motorists to slow down and move over for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles,” said Blumenthal. “NHTSA partners with law enforcement and authorities to help raise awareness of slow down, move over laws. Can NHTSA play a more assertive or aggressive role in providing incentives or imposing requirements or raising and elevating this issue so that more people are aware of it?”

“I will have to investigate how NHTSA’s authorities might overlap with or align with move over laws,” replied Buttigieg. “I’m certainly aware of them and in the context of the National Roadway Safety Strategy, we want to make sure that we are contemplating those effects and meeting any responsibilities that we have in that direction.”

Full Transcript

Blumenthal: Another issue close to our hearts in Connecticut and I should just tell you about the family of Corey Iodice. On April 20 of 2020, Corey stopped to assist a driver when his vehicle was disabled and never made it home. Corey was just doing his job working for his family’s business when he was killed by a driver who did not slow down or move over. His death could have been avoided. Connecticut like other states has a move over law that directs motorists to slow down and move over for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. These laws are critically important to the safety of our travelers and equally important to the people who assist them. I understand that each state has its own laws. NHTSA partners with law enforcement and authorities to help raise awareness of slow down, move over laws. Can NHTSA play a more assertive or aggressive role in providing incentives or imposing requirements or raising and elevating this issue so that more people are aware of it?

Buttigieg: I will have to investigate how NHTSA’s authorities might overlap with or align with move over laws. I’m certainly aware of them and in the context of the National Roadway Safety Strategy, we want to make sure that we are contemplating those effects and meeting any responsibilities that we have in that direction.