Slow Down Move Over Inc.

04/09/2026

🚨 PUBLIC SAFETY FAILURE ON I-16 🚨

Update: 4/9/2026 Our organization has reached out to the sheriffs office via email and are awaiting a response.

One of our dedicated supporters, Valerie Butler, shared something today that should stop everyone in their tracks.

“My husband was on I-16 today picking up a vehicle and no one slowed down or moved over. But what got me — one of them was a Bibb County Deputy! He said it about blew his hat off. I’m not happy one bit.”

Let that sink in.

Not only did the motoring public fail to obey the Move Over Law…
but a law enforcement officer — someone sworn to uphold that very law — failed to do the same.

This isn’t just disappointing. It’s dangerous. It’s unacceptable.

The Move Over Law is not optional. It’s not a courtesy. It’s the difference between someone going home to their family… or not coming home at all.

When the public ignores it, lives are put at risk.
When law enforcement ignores it, it sends a message that the law doesn’t matter.

And that message will get someone killed.

We are calling on Bibb County leadership to address this immediately. Accountability matters — especially when it comes from those who are supposed to lead by example.

To every driver out there:
Slow down. Move over. Pay attention.

To every agency:
Lead from the front — or get out of the way.

Because out here on the roadway, excuses don’t stop trucks. And they sure don’t stop funerals.

04/07/2026

PUT THAT PHONE DOWN ! It can wait !

A message from our friends at the Georgia Time Task Force:

“Did you know it’s illegal in Georgia to have your phone in your hand while operating a vehicle, even if you’re stopped at a light? Drivers must put the phone away or pay. As part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, take time to reflect on doing your part to keep yourself and others safe on the road. Have your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road at all times. Learn more about Georgia’s Hands-Free law at https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/hands-free-law“

Drivers may listen to streaming music that does not include videos on the screen of their phone or device while driving but cannot touch their phones while on the road to activate or program any music streaming app. Streaming music that is controlled by and listened through the vehicle’s radio is ...

04/07/2026

Distracted Driving Kills ! Thank you to our friends at the Spalding County Sheriff Office. Don’t drive distracted and Move Over for all Emergency vehicles !

04/06/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Slow Down Move Over Inc.

Update
April 8, 2026

PDF added with charges from the district attorney

Photo added with both chiefs and suspect photo

UPDATE:
April 6, 2026

An arraignment will be held today for Alexander Sepulveda-Rivera, the driver accused of hitting and killing a Berks County fire chief and assistant chief.

It’s hard to believe that in the year 2026, we are still having this conversation—but here we are.

People are still choosing to drive under the influence.

And now, two volunteer firefighters—a Chief and an Assistant Chief—have paid the price with their lives.

These men were not on the clock. This was not their full-time job. They were volunteers. They were out searching for a missing woman—on their own time, using their own fuel, sacrificing time away from their families.

Why?

Because they cared.

Because that’s what real first responders do.

While operating a UTV during that search, a suspected impaired driver swerved, struck them, and then attempted to flee the scene. Thankfully, that driver was later apprehended.

But two lives are gone.

Two leaders who dedicated their lives from an early age to serving others—people they didn’t even know.

Let’s be clear: this was not just a crash.

This was a decision.

A careless, reckless, and completely avoidable decision to drive under the influence.

Slow Down Move Over Inc. is asking the public directly:

What should the punishment be for someone who drives under the influence and kills two volunteer firefighters?

Not what it currently is—
What it should be.

Should it be:
• Mandatory prison time?
• Lifetime loss of driving privileges?
• Increased fines and financial accountability?
• Something even stronger?

We want real answers. Real opinions.

Post in the comments after reading this and tell us what you believe the consequences should be for this kind of behavior.

Because until the consequences match the severity of the actions, this cycle will continue—and more lives will be lost.

Slow Down. Move Over. Pay Attention. Lives depend on it.

04/05/2026

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WALNUTTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA —

UPDATE:

District Attorney John Adams said 26-year-old Alexander Sepulveda-Rivera from the Bronx was driving the swerving car, which allegedly went off the road and hit the UTV.

"He will be charged within the next 24-48 hours with two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence," said Adams.

According to investigators, Sepulveda-Rivera and a passenger left the crash scene.

Adams said Sepulveda-Rivera is being held at the Berks County Jail on an outstanding warrant.

"We will find some justice for these two volunteer firefighters who lost their life," said Adams.

Lieutenant Tyson said the two chiefs joined the department in their early teens.

"The years of knowledge between Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Chief Robert Shick cannot be replaced. They both knew this building from the inside out more than anybody that's here," said Lieutenant Tyson.

UPDATE:

Coroner Forensic Release added to media

UPDATE:

The Walnuttown Fire and Rescue Company is mourning the loss of its fire chief and assistant chief.

Fire Chief Jeffory L. Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert R. Shick Jr., were operating a ZForce side-by-side utility vehicle when it was involved in a head-on collision with a Toyota.

They were part of a search team looking for a missing woman when the crash occurred about 6 p.m.

Buck was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital while Shick died at Reading Hospital, Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel has stated.

Autopsies are scheduled for Monday.

The Fleetwood Police Department, Berks County District Attorney’s Forensic Services Unit as well as the Berks and LeHigh county coroners are continuing the investigation of the collision.

ORIGINAL POST:

At this time, we would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the Shick and Buck families.

The Walnuttown Fire Company has announced the passing of Fire Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick.

The Berks County Coroner has confirmed that two individuals were killed during a crash on Route 222 in Richmond Township. Officials report the incident occurred Saturday just north of Route 662. The coroner responded to the scene and later to the hospital as part of the investigation.

The loss of these two chiefs has sent shockwaves through the fire service community.

Two chiefs. Two leaders. Two men who committed their lives to protecting others. Their loss leaves a void that cannot be filled, not just within their department, but across the entire fire service community.

Volunteer fire service is built on sacrifice. Long hours, missed time with family, and answering the call no matter the cost. Chief Buck and Assistant Chief Shick lived that commitment.

At this time, there are no funeral details. Once arrangements are confirmed, updates will be provided.

We ask that everyone respect the families, their fellow firefighters, and their space as they navigate this loss.

Rest easy, Chiefs. We’ve got it from here.

04/05/2026

We want to let everyone know that my good friend Todd Leiss with responder safety in accordance with the Responder Safety Network has rolled out the refresher program for all National Certifications.
These certifications unfortunately are not mandatory in every state but they need to be.
Refresher classes are an excellent way to keep all that knowledge fresh in your heads.
Many states require that first responders have continuous education credits each year.
Even if you are working on these roadways every day and night refreshing your knowledge is excellent.

Sign up and login now at respondersafety.com

04/04/2026

STATEMENT FROM THE SCENE – TRAFFIC SAFETY WARNING

It is bad enough that first responders and tow operators are already dealing with distracted drivers on the roadway—people not paying attention, putting lives at risk, and in far too many cases, killing those working these scenes.

But then we add another level of stupidity and danger: drivers who think it’s a good idea to take pictures while operating a motor vehicle, especially at active accident scenes. Posting online about how an operator “looked angry” while directing traffic completely misses the point. That operator isn’t there for your entertainment. He’s out there trying to keep traffic moving and keep people alive—including himself.

“I was on scene that day actively directing traffic. The photo circulating is not me, but if it had been, I would have looked just as distressed. We were having major issues maintaining traffic flow during an active recovery.” Stated T.P. Hovis

The interstate was reduced to one lane using proper traffic control methods. Despite that, some drivers—with zero situational awareness—chose to slow down to a crawl or completely stop in the only open lane just to take pictures.

Let’s spell out what that causes:

• Massive traffic backups
• A high risk of secondary crashes in the backlog
• Increased danger inside the work zone
• A serious threat to every responder on that roadway

When you stop in a live lane to take a photo, you are not just being careless—you are actively creating a hazardous situation.

This is not a show. This is not social media content. This is a dangerous work environment where lives are on the line.

When approaching an accident scene:
Keep moving. Do not stop. Do not take pictures. Stay alert and follow traffic direction.

Think before you act. Because out here, one bad decision can cost someone their life.

04/03/2026

Responder Safety Network Launches TIM Refresher Training — Accountability Can No Longer Be Optional on the Roadway

Atlanta, Georgia — April 3, 2026

The Responder Safety Network has officially introduced refresher training requirements for Traffic Incident Management (TIM) certification, marking a long-overdue shift toward accountability for those operating in live roadway environments.

For years, responders across the country have completed TIM certification once and treated it as a lifetime achievement badge. Meanwhile, roadway fatalities continue to climb, and preventable struck-by incidents remain a constant threat to tow operators, law enforcement, fire personnel, EMS, and DOT workers.

This update changes that.

⸻

What the Change Means

Under the new structure:
• TIM certifications can now be refreshed instead of retaken from scratch
• Refresh eligibility begins approximately 11 months after initial completion
• Participants must complete all modules, pass knowledge checks, and successfully finish the Skills Challenge again
• Certification records are updated with a new completion date, reinforcing ongoing compliance

This is not a shortcut. It is a reset of expectations.

⸻

A Step Toward Reality — Not a Victory Lap

Slow Down Move Over Inc. acknowledges this move as a necessary correction in an industry that has tolerated outdated training for far too long.

Let’s be clear:

Working a live roadway is not static.
Traffic behavior changes.
Distractions increase.
Speeds rise.
And complacency sets in.

A certification earned years ago does not protect anyone standing inches from moving traffic today.

⸻

The Real Problem — Training Without Reinforcement

Struck-by deaths are not random events. They are the result of:
• Inconsistent scene setup
• Poor blocking and positioning practices
• Failure to maintain situational awareness
• Agencies allowing certifications to expire without consequence

Every one of those failures is preventable.

Refresher training is not about checking a box. It is about correcting drift before it becomes deadly.

⸻

The Industry Must Follow Through

This announcement means nothing if it is not enforced.

Slow Down Move Over Inc. is calling on:
• Law enforcement agencies
• Fire departments
• Towing and recovery companies
• State DOTs and safety patrol programs

to require mandatory, recurring TIM certification refreshers for all personnel operating on the roadway.

Not suggested. Not optional. Required.

Because the roadway does not care how long someone has “been doing the job.”

⸻

A Message to Every Responder

Experience does not replace discipline.
Time on the job does not override training.
And routine is where people get killed.

If you are stepping onto a roadway, your training should be as current as the traffic moving past you.

⸻

About Slow Down Move Over Inc.

Slow Down Move Over Inc. is a Georgia-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting roadway responders through public awareness, accountability, and advocacy for stronger enforcement of Move Over laws nationwide.

⸻

Final Word

This is not innovation.
This is correction.

The only thing left to decide is whether the industry takes it seriously…
or waits for the next name to be added to the list.

⸻

Enhance your safety click here:

https://learning.respondersafety.com/

Responder safety training and learning network focuses on training fire, police, EMS, DOT, towing and recovery responders using video and interactive modules online.

04/01/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Slow Down Move Over Inc.

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO — ENFORCEMENT FINALLY FOLLOWS TRAGEDY AS MOVE OVER LAW CRACKDOWN BEGINS

Slow Down Move Over Inc. is responding to reports out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has initiated a targeted enforcement crackdown on motorists violating the state’s Move Over law.

This sudden surge in enforcement comes in the wake of the death of Michael Schlattman, a veteran law enforcement officer killed while serving his community along a roadway. His death, like so many others across this country, was not an accident—it was the predictable outcome of complacency, distraction, and a culture that refuses to respect the danger of active roadway scenes.

A recent investigation revealed what those of us in the field already know all too well: the Move Over law is widely ignored and rarely enforced. Until now.

Let that sink in.

A law designed to protect human lives—law enforcement, fire, EMS, DOT, and towing and recovery operators—has been treated as optional by drivers and as an afterthought by enforcement agencies. The result? A growing body count on America’s roadways.

This crackdown is not a solution. It is a reaction. And reactions come after funerals.

Slow Down Move Over Inc. supports aggressive enforcement efforts, but we are not celebrating. Because enforcement should never have required the loss of Sergeant Schlattman to begin with. This should have been standard practice years ago.

Every responder working a scene is standing just feet away from traffic moving at highway speeds. Every single passing vehicle that fails to move over or slow down is a loaded weapon. And yet, drivers continue to scroll, stream, text, and drift through active scenes as if cones and flashing lights are decorations instead of warnings.

Let’s be clear:

This is not a “New Mexico problem.”
This is not a “driver education problem.”
This is a nationwide failure of accountability.

If enforcement fades after the headlines do, then nothing changes. And the next name gets added to the list.

Slow Down Move Over Inc. is calling for:
• Sustained, zero-tolerance enforcement of Move Over laws nationwide
• Increased penalties, including license suspension for violators
• Mandatory driver re-education following citations
• Public reporting of enforcement statistics to ensure accountability

We will continue to say what others won’t: if you fail to move over, you are gambling with someone else’s life. And eventually, that gamble runs out.

Sergeant Schlattman should still be here. The fact that his death is what it took to spark enforcement is unacceptable.

This is not awareness anymore. This is negligence.

Slow Down. Move Over. Or be held accountable.

04/01/2026

PRESS RELEASE

Slow Down Move Over Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At Midnight 4/1/2026 this will go into effect. What are your thoughts?

INDIANA TARGETS CDL COMPLIANCE — BUT LET’S BE CLEAR WHAT THIS REALLY IS

Indiana is making national headlines with a new law set to take effect, claiming it will revoke commercial driver’s licenses held by individuals in the country illegally and require English proficiency for future non-citizen CDL applicants.

Let’s cut through the noise.

This is not some groundbreaking safety reform. This is enforcement of standards that have existed for years and have been inconsistently applied across the country.

Federal regulations already require commercial drivers to:
• Read and understand English-language road signs
• Communicate with law enforcement and emergency responders
• Complete official reports and documentation

So why is this suddenly “new”?

Because enforcement has been lax, and now a state has decided to actually act on it.

THE REAL ISSUE

At Slow Down Move Over Inc., we operate where policy meets pavement. On the roadway, there is no margin for confusion, hesitation, or miscommunication.

When a driver cannot understand:
• Emergency instructions
• Lane closure warnings
• First responder commands

That is not just a compliance issue. That is a life-or-death hazard.

We have buried too many roadway workers, tow operators, and first responders to pretend this doesn’t matter.

BUT DON’T IGNORE THE OTHER SIDE

Let’s not pretend this happens in a vacuum.

The trucking industry is already under pressure:
• Driver shortages
• Increased freight demand
• Companies cutting corners to keep trucks moving

Pulling drivers out of the system overnight without addressing the root problems doesn’t fix safety. It shifts the burden and creates new risks if companies scramble to fill seats without proper vetting.

ACCOUNTABILITY DOES NOT STOP AT DRIVERS

If Indiana is serious about safety, enforcement must extend beyond the individual driver.

It must include:
• Carriers knowingly putting unqualified drivers on the roadway
• Brokers ignoring red flags to move freight faster
• A system that prioritizes delivery times over human lives

OUR POSITION

Slow Down Move Over Inc. supports true roadway safety enforcement, not political talking points.

If you are operating an 80,000-pound vehicle:
• You must be qualified
• You must be able to communicate
• You must be accountable

No exceptions. No excuses.

But safety cannot be selective. It must be consistent, nationwide, and enforced across every level of the industry.

FINAL WORD

This is not about politics.
This is about people standing on the side of the roadway trying to make it home.

And right now, far too many are not.

⸻

Slow Down Move Over Inc.
Advocating for those who work and live on the roadway every single day.

⸻

03/31/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER INC.

DISTRACTED DRIVING STRIKES AGAIN — PODCAST OVER PAYING ATTENTION

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA — Another completely preventable crash has occurred on Interstate 85, and this time the excuse isn’t confusion, fatigue, or weather.

It’s distraction. Plain and simple.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, troopers responded around 1:13 a.m. Monday to a crash on I-85 southbound involving a Ford Fusion that slammed into the rear of a stopped Freightliner Cascadia.

The tractor-trailer was stopped in traffic due to an active construction pacing detail — a controlled operation meant to protect roadway workers and manage traffic flow.

Instead of paying attention to the road, the driver of the Ford Fusion was reportedly watching a podcast on a cellphone at the time of the crash.

Let that sink in.

A vehicle traveling at highway speed collided with a fully visible, stopped tractor-trailer because the driver chose entertainment over awareness.

The result: the Ford became lodged underneath the trailer in what could have easily been a fatal incident.

Investigators cited distracted driving and following too closely as contributing factors. EMS personnel confirmed the driver’s phone was in his lap with a podcast actively playing upon their arrival.

No conditions have been released, and at this time, there has been no confirmation of charges.

And that’s part of the problem.

How many more incidents like this need to happen before distracted driving is treated with the seriousness it deserves?

This wasn’t an unavoidable crash.
This wasn’t a split-second mistake.
This was a decision.

A decision to divide attention at highway speeds in an active traffic environment.

Slow Down Move Over Inc. is once again calling for:
• Immediate and consistent enforcement of distracted driving laws
• Stronger penalties for drivers who endanger others through negligence
• Public accountability when reckless behavior is clearly evident

Drivers need to understand this:
Your vehicle is not a living room.
It is not a mobile entertainment center.
It is a 3,000+ pound machine capable of killing someone in seconds.

Construction zones, pacing operations, and traffic slowdowns are not suggestions — they are controlled environments designed to keep people alive.

Ignoring them is not just careless. It’s dangerous.

And eventually, it’s deadly.

About Slow Down Move Over Inc.
Slow Down Move Over Inc. is a Georgia-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting roadway responders through awareness, enforcement advocacy, and holding drivers accountable for unsafe behavior in active roadway environments.