‘Slow Down, Move Over.’ Safety organization reminds drivers of roadway safety following death of state trooper
Cindy Iodice says her brother, Corey, was struck and killed while pulled over on the Merritt Parkway in 2020.
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A local safety organization dedicated to reducing fatalities caused by vehicle strikes is urging the public to obey state traffic laws following Thursday's deadly hit-and-run of a Connecticut state trooper.
MORE: Police procession brings state trooper killed on I-84 to hometown of Southington
"It took me right back to the moment I found out my brother was struck and killed," Cindy Iodice says.
Iodice, the founder of Flagman, Inc., says she started the movement after her brother Corey died in 2020 trying to load a vehicle onto his tow truck in Trumbull.
"Two years ago, Chris Russell was struck and killed - another tow operator helping a disabled motorist in North Haven," Iodice says.
She claims many drivers don't obey Connecticut's Slow Down Move Over law, which requires drivers to slow their speed and, if possible, move over one lane for any stationary vehicle along the side of the highway, not just for emergency vehicles, first responders, and tow truck drivers.
"I saw somebody make a comment on social media and said something about if you're doing less than 80 [MPH] in Connecticut, you're in the way," Iodice says.
According to AAA, more than 120 emergency roadside workers, more than 120 police officers, and more than 250 highway workers were struck and killed by vehicles nationwide from 2015-2021.
"Sadly, we're seeing traffic safety trends in the wrong direction," Managing director of Public and Government Affairs Alec Slatky says.
Violating this state law could result in up to a $10,000 fine if a driver is killed.
"I think it should be more and I think we should involve some prison time," Danielle Armstrong, of Norwalk says. "Let's make things safer. Let's not have another fatality for us to open our eyes."
Iodice says Flagman, Inc. hopes to reach every student in Connecticut by teaching the importance of the law in schools.
RELATED: Police: Suspect charged with manslaughter in hit-and-run that killed state trooper on I-84
