What is SDTGA?

Slow-Down-to-Get-Around

SDTGA is an acronym for Slow Down to Get Around, an important movement to protect our waste and recycling workers while they are out on the road.

A Campaign to Save Lives

Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA) is SWANA’s national safety campaign. The campaign aims to remind motorists to drive with extra caution around waste and recycling collection vehicles. Simply slowing down a few miles per hour while passing collection vehicles helps drivers protect themselves, the waste and recycling collection workers and other motorists.

Being struck by a motor vehicle is a leading cause of death for waste and recycling collection employees. By raising awareness, we hope to prevent these deaths.

Slow Down, It’s the Law!

Slow Down to Get Around is the name frequently given to laws that requires drivers to slow down or move over a lane when passing waste and recycling vehicles. Since the start of SWANA’s campaign, numerous states have enacted some form of SDTGA laws to protect waste and recycling workers as they perform their collection services.

At this time, there are 25 states with SDTGA laws on the books, but we can do better! At Waste and Recycling Workers Week, we believe every man and woman in the waste and recycling industry should be as safe as possible while they are working hard to keep our communities clean. We want to see every state pass laws that require motorist to drive safely around waste and recycling collection vehicles.

Thank You for Keeping Our Men and Women Safe

Waste and Recycling Workers Week would like to thank the following states for protecting the men and women of the waste and recycling industry by passing Slow Down to Get Around legislation:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Dakota
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Safety First! Slow Down to Get Around!

Don’t see your state on the list? You can still do your part to keep workers safe while they provide collection services. When driving behind a recycling or waste collection truck, leave plenty of space between your car and the recycling or garbage truck. If you need to pass the vehicle, slow down and leave plenty room for workers while going around. This will help keep waste and recycling workers, other motorists, you and your passengers safe.