Dozens of tow truck drivers gathered to raise awareness about Florida’s ‘Move Over Law’ while paying tribute to one of their own who lost his life after being struck on the job.
Austin Gayne, a 24-year-old tow truck operator who regularly worked between Orlando and Jacksonville, tragically lost his life in 2021. While towing a dump truck in Orlando, Gayne and a mechanic were hit by a car, leading to Gayne’s hospitalization for several weeks before his passing.
Carmie McInarnay, who is part of the tow truck industry, emphasized the preventable nature of such incidents. Reflecting on Gayne’s death, she expressed deep concern for the safety of tow truck drivers who face risks while working on the roadside every day.
McInarnay’s personal connection to the issue stems from her own experience in 1995 when she was hit by a car while assisting a friend involved in a crash, resulting in the amputation of her leg.
According to AAA, an average of nearly 350 people per year were struck and killed while outside a disabled vehicle on the roadside between 2016 and 2020. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, on average, two emergency responders, including tow workers, are fatally struck by drivers who fail to adhere to the Move Over Law every month.
Over the weekend, a Volusia County deputy narrowly escaped injury after being struck by a passing van while responding to a crash in Deland, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
The Move Over Law mandates that drivers must change lanes for all disabled vehicles displaying hazard lights, emergency flares, or emergency signage. Alternatively, if changing lanes is not possible, drivers must slow down to 20 miles below the posted speed limit.
Previously, the law only required drivers to move over for first responders, tow trucks, and other emergency vehicles. The recent expansion of the law aims to enhance safety measures and potentially save lives.
McInarnay stressed the importance of the expanded legislation in preventing further tragedies, emphasizing that every life lost on the road is someone’s loved one who deserves to return home safely.
Today’s event also served as a moment of remembrance for Carlos Betancourt, another tow truck driver who lost his life in 2021 after being struck by a driver. Participants hope that sharing stories like Gayne’s and Betancourt’s will encourage compliance with the Move Over Law and promote safer practices when encountering stopped vehicles on the roadside.