When tow trucks and police are cleaning up a crash, Pennsylvania law requires drivers to move over by one lane, or slow down.

The “steer clear” law is designed to prevent injuries and deaths among emergency responders. But the continued number of crashes involving those vehicles suggest that not all drivers know about the law, or they choose to ignore it.

A new bill, introduced after the death of a young tow truck driver this summer, would increase the penalties, and attempt to raise more awareness of its existence.

The goal of SB 1281, according to supporters, is to make more drivers aware of their duties to protect tow drivers and first responders.

“We’re tired of getting hurt because people only focused on what’s important to them from the comfort of the inside of their vehicle,” said Bob Bemis, a retired state trooper who was struck on 2015 while on duty.

To date, 151 emergency responders have been killed while assisting drivers on Pennsylvania roads. This year alone, 38 have been killed across the country, including a paramedic and a tow-truck driver from Pennsylvania.

The bill proposes doubling the current fine, and changing the name of the law to the more obvious “move over” law.

If convicted, a first-time offender could face a $500 fine and two points on their license. Fines for additional offenses would be $1,000-$2,000.

Some drivers might say that a $500 fine for failing to move over is excessive. But the decision could affect someone’s parent or child.

“You can be doing everything right, and just like that, you get struck and killed. Through no fault of your own, just doing your job,” said Todd Leiss, traffic incident management coordinator for the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

There are more than 350 reportable crashes per day in Pennsylvania, and at least one tow driver responds to each of them.

Carbon County tow truck drivers know all too well the hazards of responding to crashes. Jared Hoffman said several drivers with his company, All Points Towing, have had their trucks struck while on scenes, and he’s witnessed multiple close calls himself.

“Every time we’re out on the road, we have to keep our heads on a swivel. We’re constantly watching back,” Hoffman said.

After one close call, Hoffman’s wife was inspired to write a children’s book. The goal of “Driver Dad: Towman to the Rescue!” is to raise awareness of the need for safety when it comes to driving near emergency responders.

Emergency responders say that most injuries and fatalities are caused by someone who is drunk, drugged, drowsy, distracted or dangerous. They refer to them as “D” drivers.

Distracted driving has become more of a problem as technology takes an ever increasing role in our lives. But there are other causes as well, such as people eating or having a conversation with someone else inside the vehicle.

Hoffman said he believes too many drivers are in a rush, not leaving adequate time to safely obey the rules of the road. He said they have been even worse during the coronavirus.

His trucks have extra lighting, and his drivers put out signs when responding to major wrecks. But he said nothing can take the place of driver awareness.

“The more you make people aware, the better it will be,” Hoffman said.

SB 1281 has broad bipartisan support in Harrisburg. It was introduced in July following the death of Tyler Laudenslager, a 29-year-old firefighter who was working as a tow-truck driver when he was fatally struck on Interstate 78.

Tyler left behind his high school sweetheart and a daughter who was just 10 months old at the time.

“When she was born, she was the apple of his eye,” his mother, Deb, said.

In her son’s memory, Deb has dedicated herself to raising awareness of the importance of protecting emergency responders. Just weeks after his death, she spoke outside the capitol in support of SB 1281, sharing her family’s ordeal.

“Unfortunately accidents happen, but we can get the word out about what we can do, make people aware to move over when they see flashing lights along the highway or any road,” she said.