AAA runs statistics on fatalities of roadside assistance workers

AAA runs statistics on fatalities of roadside assistance workers

Results from The Auto Club Group’s (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety study revealed that poor visibility is not always the why behind crashes that injure and kill roadside workers.

AAA described the study that examined crash conditions as a chilling reality for roadside assistance providers (RAPs), listing speed, impairment and distraction as the most likely factors for accidents that occur as “Highway Heroes” assist others.

According to a recent press release, the number of tow truck drivers, mobile mechanics, emergency roadside technicians and safety service patrols killed is four times greater than reported. The study showed that between 2015 and 2021 the number of deaths was 123.

“This grim figure dwarfs the approximately 34 noted in national crash data,” the release says.

AAA attributes the discrepancy to state police crash reports, which sometimes incorrectly classify crash victims as pedestrians instead of RAPs.

“While yearly total traffic fatalities increased significantly over the study period, the data suggests that roadside assistance provider fatalities increased even more,” the release says.

The study’s key findings showed that 89% of crashes occur in areas with speed limits of 55 mph or higher, mostly on interstates and limited-access highways. Eighty-four percent of crashes occur in good weather conditions, with roads not slippery or wet. Sixty-three percent of crashes happen at night in areas without streetlights with 34% occurring during the day. And 63% of crashes occur after the vehicle leaves the road while traveling on the shoulder and beyond before being hit.

“This suggests the involvement of factors such as impairment, fatigue, or distraction,” the release says. "More than one-third of striking drivers who were tested for alcohol were alcohol-positive. But nearly half were not tested.”

AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins described interstates as particularly hazardous due to the number of RAPs killed.

“The study attributes drivers travel at high speeds not expecting to encounter pedestrians on freeways,” he said in the release. “This reinforces the importance that drivers stay focused on the task of driving and be prepared to slow down and move over when approaching workers on the roadside.”

AAA is urging drivers to slow down, move over and give space to everyone including RAPs, police, fire, and EMS personnel working along the roadside.

“Every ounce of awareness could be the difference between life and death,” they said.

Click here to read the nuances of Florida’s Move Over Law.

AAA is also asking drivers to shield the vulnerable.

“Utilize countermeasures to prevent vehicles from striking workers,” they said. “The Foundation previously examined vehicle-mounted electronic variable message signs and found them effective at alerting drivers to slow down and move over.”

Lastly, AAA is encouraging RAPs to train for survival by prioritizing to work away from traffic and avoid harm's way.

“Training for roadside assistance providers should emphasize the importance of not working or standing on the traffic-facing side of the incident whenever possible and minimize time spent on the traffic-facing side of the scene,” they said.

“Let’s remember this study is about real people, not statistics,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s traffic safety and advocacy director. “It’s a shared responsibility to solve this safety challenge. Roadside workers and all of us who drive by them have to take action to move towards zero traffic deaths.”

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Results from AAA Traffic Safety study reveal that increased deaths of roadside workers than originally reported