In what amounts to a concerted plea for public vigilance, Arizona marks this week with a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by crash responders on its highways. The outreach is spearheaded by a coalition of traffic safety stakeholders during National Crash Responder Safety Week, with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and affiliated agencies such as the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) leading the charge. The message is simple and clear: "First responders ahead! Reduce your speed as you proceed," as reported by ADOT.
Grasping the gravity of this issue, ADOT Director Jennifer Toth underlines the life-saving work carried out by first responders and their need for space to ensure public safety when assisting at crash scenes drivers would do well to remain alert and decelerate when approaching these individuals who have already placed themselves in harm's way, all of this delivered in a statement obtained by ADOT. Furthermore, these sentiments are echoed by Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Colonel Jeffrey Glover, who, in an ADOT interview, described collision scenes as perilous pockets on the roadway, where oncoming traffic must be managed along with the crash itself.
Stemming from an alarming statistic showing at least 283 possible crashes involving first responders or their vehicles on Arizona roads since 2020, the agencies have intensified their efforts to promote safety. ADOT, with backing from sponsors like GEICO, dispatches its Incident Response Unit to establish traffic control and grant the necessary assistance which ensures that traffic can keep moving even when crashes occur. According to ADOT, the plea for motorists to comply with the "Move Over" law is not without reason; one tow operator is killed roughly every six days across the United States.
The "Move Over" law necessitates drivers to either vacate the lane nearest to the flashing lights of stationary emergency vehicles or to slow down when unable to shift lanes safely, an edict supported by Angela Roper, the executive director of the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association, insisting on public adherence to such laws that shield road workers from the pitfalls of distracted or impaired driving. Likewise, AZDPS Director Colonel Jeffrey Glover encourages public cooperation, emphasizing the boost it lends to both those in distress and the brave responders at the scene, an encouragement unfortunately marred by the run-on nature of the discussion wherein multiple intertwined caveats were expressed without the required punctuation to ensure clarity.
Reiterating the importance of public collaboration, ADHS Director Jennie Cunico points out that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers encounter peril with every life they seek to save, and it is incumbent upon drivers to maintain vigil about their surroundings to protect these responders in their duties. The strategy also includes educating drivers about the "quick clearance" law, advancing the safety of all road users by prompting those in a minor collision to move to the shoulder if possible, thus opening up traffic lanes and decreasing the chances for further incidents according to the emphasis brought forth by the ADOT participation guidelines.
If caught in a crash, ADOT urges drivers to assess their well-being, reposition functioning vehicles away from travel lanes, contact emergency services, stay vigilant for incoming traffic, and remain onsite, a series of steps highlighted in their latest public announcement with a view to elevating statewide traffic safety.
