Drivers Encouraged to be Cautious During National Crash Responder Safety Week

Next week is National Crash Responder Safety Week.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, traffic incidents are the leading cause of death for E-M-S responders and law enforcement officers.

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Safety and Emergency Management Director, Chris Engelbrecht, says MoDOT urges drivers to obey the state’s move-over law, avoid distractions, and slow down when approaching emergency vehicles on the road.

Missouri’s move-over law requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary MoDOT, law enforcement, or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights on.

In 2022, more than 54 thousand traffic crashes were reported on Missouri roadways that required emergency response.

On average, MoDOT emergency response personnel respond to more than 45 hundred traffic incidents each month.

National Crash Responder Safety Week runs November 13-17.