Slow Down, Move Over: 'We Want To Go Home To Our Families Too'

DETROIT (WWJ) - Metro Detroit's first responders are reminding drivers that Michigan's 'Move Over' law also applies to tow trucks.

Those involved in the effort say too many drivers are putting emergency responders at risk by failing to obey the state's Emergency Vehicle Caution Law.

The law requires motorists to move over for stationary emergency vehicles with their lights activated or slow down and pass with caution if it's not possible to safely change lanes.

Tow truck driver Garland Coleman remembers the accident that happened to him while on the job.

He says he remembers it like it happened yesterday, he was on a wintertime tow along I-75 near Monroe:

"I heard someone spin out," he says, "and it was a state truck and there was a tractor-trailer behind them and he jack-knifed and wrecked into the back of my flatbed -- I was in the driver's seat."

Coleman says the driver was going 60 mph. "The whole thing that got me - was I seen him coming at me - so I just braced for impact. If you look at the door you can clearly see it was inches from my head."

His plea is simple: "slow down and move over."

"We're out there trying to make an honest dollar and we want to go home to our families just like you," said Coleman.

State police say they remain committed to strict enforcement of the law statewide.