Governor Josh Green, M.D. declared this Monday to Sunday as Crash Responder Safety Week in Hawaii. The Hawaii Department of Transportation joined with traffic safety partners to enhance the safety of first responders at accident scenes.
According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, at a formal gathering at Aloha Stadium, emergency response teams, including Honolulu Emergency Services, the Fire Department, and the Police Department, united to remind motorists to slow down and give space when passing emergency responders. "Last year there were 45 crash responders injured in motor vehicle crashes while in the line of duty on our roads," said Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen.
Traffic incidents are the leading cause of death for responders nationwide. In Hawaii, last year saw seven tow truck operators, one EMT, and 37 police officers injured while on duty.
Under Hawaii’s Move Over Law, a driver who causes injury or death to someone at a roadside emergency scene could face charges of negligent homicide or negligent injury. The Move Over Law is designed to protect all road users, including emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and city, county, and state vehicles.
