Reminder to drivers: Move over or slow down

CLEARWATER (FOX 13) - Every day Ginger Darling hops in her tow truck for work, she knows she is putting her life at risk.

"You've got a very narrow area between the wall, the guard rail, and where the car is," explained Darling.

As the owner of Nationwide Towing, she said it's not the physical labor that makes her job difficult. It's the other drivers on the road.

"You turn the key on, you pull the trigger on that gun. You're driving a lethal weapon," said Darling.

January is "Move Over Month” in Florida. The state is one of 43 states that requires drivers to change lanes or slow down if they're passing someone working on the side of the road.

"All too often, especially on our busy area roadways, you can't move over. Traffic is too heavy, [so] reduce your speed by 20 miles an hour," said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol.

In 2016, tow truck driver Danny Hand was hit and killed while helping someone on the side of Interstate 275 South, near Fowler Avenue.  According to troopers, Hand's tow truck lights were flashing, but the driver who hit him said he didn't notice.

In October of the same year, Troy McGuire was hit and killed by an accused drunk driver while helping law enforcement on the shoulder of I-75.

Earlier that year, in February, driver Allison Huffman was arrested after allegedly hitting and killing Tampa tow truck driver Roger Perez Borroto, then ditching he car at a hotel and calling a cab to go to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Her case is ongoing.

"We have a tight brotherhood. We stand by each other. When one of us gets hurt, we're all there," said Darling.

Officials said giving them space to work is not a courtesy, it is the law. Following the law could save the life of a loved one.

"We're not the only ones on the side of the road. Your auntie, your grandfather could be waiting for a tow truck or could have just pulled over, because they just broke down. Give them the courtesy," Darling added.