As Arizonans navigate their daily commutes this week, they are reminded to exhibit extra caution on the roads. National Crash Responder Safety Week, running from Nov. 17-21, emphasizes the vital role the public plays in ensuring the safety of emergency workers responding to roadside incidents. The Arizona Department of Transportation has issued a call to action: “Safety starts with you — Slow down and move over.”
A staggering number of crashes have demanded the attention of Arizona's first responders. In 2024 alone, records indicate 90 occurrences that placed these individuals, or their vehicles, in direct danger on Arizona's thoroughfares. Arizona Department of Transportation Director Jennifer Toth stressed the urgency of driver vigilance in a statement obtained by the Arizona Department of Transportation press release, saying, “We need all drivers to stay alert, especially when driving past an incident, and move over to give first responders a safe space to work.” This appeal is not just about urging responsibility but about legislating behavior through Arizona's "Move Over" law, requiring motorists to shift lanes or decrease speed when encountering stopped vehicles with flashing lights.
The dedication of these professionals was highlighted by Daniel Thiem, vice president of the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association. "In 2025 there will be approximately 595,000 plus tow calls for service in Arizona, in which Arizona tow truck operators have placed themselves in danger to assist Arizona motorists, first responders, and ADOT personnel, in roadway clearance and accident/breakdown mitigation," Thiem told the Arizona Department of Transportation news release. With such high stakes, it becomes increasingly clear just how perilous the roads can be for those to swiftly respond in the wake of vehicular mishaps. The message is clear: a mere moment of distraction can have irreversible, dire consequences.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers face these risks daily, with grim statistics to back up the hazards. Sheila Sjolander, Interim Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, revealed in the Arizona Department of Transportation announcement, "Since 2017, ten Arizona responders have been struck and killed while working roadside, and 158 others have survived serious crashes that changed their lives." These somber facts are not meant to bring despair but rather to urge citizens to recognize the crucial importance of responders' safety as a shared responsibility.
In addition to the “Move Over” law, Arizona also encourages drivers involved in minor accidents to practice "quick clearance"— moving operable vehicles out of travel lanes to improve overall safety. As summarized by Phoenix Fire Department Public Information Officer Captain Rob McDade in the Arizona Department of Transportation release, “drivers must play their part by slowing down and moving over when they see our lights flashing." The collective commitment to these practices aim to not only protect responders but also ensure that motorists continue safely on their journey.
