New Hawaii law requires drivers to slow down, move over for all stopped vehicles

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – State officials gathered at the Hawaii State Capitol Tuesday to raise awareness about the state’s newly expanded “Slow Down, Move Over” law.

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While drivers were already required to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, Act 95 now extends those same safety requirements to cover all stationary vehicles stopped on the side of the road — such as emergency responders, tow truck operators, stranded drivers, and anyone experiencing vehicle trouble on Hawaiʻi’s roadways.

“When somebody is changing a tire, their backside is exposed to the roadway. Those inches can be the separation of life and death,” said Rep. Darius Kila, D-Honokai Hale, Nanakuli, Maili. “This is a call-out to be more mindful of those around you.”

What the expanded law requires

Grieving sister’s mission

Cindy Iodice is a prominent advocate whose brother, Corey Iodice, a tow truck operator, was hit and killed by an impaired driver while helping a stranded motorist on the side of the road.

“The guy that killed my brother by not slowing down and moving over a lane away, it jeopardized Corey’s safety and it ultimately took his life,” she said.

Read more Hawaii’s Expanded ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ Law

Iodice now runs Flagman Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through road safety education with the aim to avoid similar preventable tragedies.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 3,600 fatalities occurred nationwide between 2014 and 2022 when drivers and passengers were stranded in or near their disabled vehicles.

Officials hope that this expanded law sends a clear and life-saving message to all drivers: Slow down, move over, and keep our roadways safe for everyone.

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Watch the full press conference here: