INDIANA MOVE OVER LAW INCLUDES TOW TRUCKS

A recent survey has found many drivers do not know what the move over law is. 24-Hour News 8 received a huge response from wrecker operators who say the problem has dangerous, even deadly, consequences.

Four months ago a wrecker operator was critically injured on I-69 while preparing to tow a van. He lost his leg, but still considers himself lucky.

"It just wasn't my time, and I'm thankful for that. I'll move on. Hopefully some day I'll be able to jump back in a wrecker, but that's one of them things I'll have to see," said Wayne Aughenbaugh.

Wayne still dreams of returning to the job one day. In March he was preparing to tow a van when a semi drifted off the interstate and hit him. Wayne lost his right leg.

"When you've relied 44 years on your legs, and all of a sudden you lose them, lose the capacity to use them, even for a short time. I've learned a lot in the last four months," he said.

Wayne and other wrecker operators say there are too many close calls. Many drivers do not know the move over law includes tow trucks or choose to ignore it.

"I've had people come by and blow the hat right off your head on the highway, they would be that close," said Bob Cook of Bob's Heavy Duty Towing.

But it is not the close calls that bring these operators to tears. It is the reality of losing a friend in a roadside accident.

"They didn't move over for him either," Bob said.

In 2005 Scott Romans was killed on I-65 while hooking up a broken down tractor trailer.

"We've had four deaths across the state in the last 12 months, 57 across the country. We need some recognition for that," said J.R. Cook, Indiana Towing & Wrecker Association President.

The move over law says people need to switch lanes or slow down for emergency vehicles with flashing lights on and the law includes recovery vehicles like tow trucks.