WHEREAS, law enforcement officers, firefighters, public service utility workers, emergency medical personnel, highway crews, and tow operators conduct valuable and often life-saving operations at the roadside; and
WHEREAS, these personnel are called to duty at all hours of the day and night, in adverse weather conditions, and in dangerous roadside environments; and
WHEREAS, workspace is often limited within the highway right of way, placing workers dangerously close to passing vehicles; and
WHEREAS, across the country, emergency workers, incident responders, and highway workers are put at risk, often resulting in injury or death; and
WHEREAS, the towing industry is fifteen times deadlier than all other private industries combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
WHEREAS, while all fifty states have Slow Down, Move Over laws, fewer than 30 percent of Americans know these laws, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for the public to be educated on the dangers of failing to abide by these laws; the third Saturday in October is recognized as national Slow Down, Move Over Day;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2022, as “SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.