Wisconsin transportation agencies and first responders are rallying during Crash Responder Safety Week to remind locals that the lives of those protecting us on the roads are in their hands, and a simple action like moving over or slowing down can save lives. In a report by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Gov. Evers has proclaimed Nov. 17-21 as a period to highlight the perils that emergency personnel face while attending to traffic crises; they note that Wisconsin sees around 128,000 traffic crashes every year, each posing a threat not only to those involved but also to the emergency responders arriving on the scene. "We must work together to protect those who protect us," says Secretary Kristina Boardman in a statement obtained by WisDOT.
Despite safety measures and legal protections, roadside incidents remain alarming. In the past five years, 73 emergency responders have been struck by vehicles, and nearly 3,600 secondary crashes have occurred since 2020. Alan DeYoung, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services Association, stressed the human toll: “Crash Responder Safety Week is a reminder that the simplest choice, slow down and move over, is what keeps us safe and gets our responders back to their families,” he told WisDOT. Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan urged motorists to stay alert for flashing lights to give emergency responders room to work.
As part of Crash Responder Safety Week, the Wisconsin State Patrol is educating drivers on laws designed to protect emergency responders. Drivers must slow down or move over for vehicles with flashing lights and avoid using handheld cell phones in response areas. The “Steer It, Clear It” philosophy is also promoted, advising drivers to move drivable vehicles to the shoulder after a crash if no one is injured, keeping traffic flowing and enhancing safety. Jeremy Desotell of the Wisconsin Air Medical Council said, “When every second counts, safe driving can make all the difference,” helping air medical crews respond more efficiently, as noted in a statement from WisDOT.
WisDOT is highlighting its Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training program, which has already trained nearly 67% of the state’s 39,000 responders. The program standardizes how crews handle crashes to improve safety and reduce delays. WisDOT is also promoting services like the GEICO-sponsored Safety Patrols and the Dane County Sheriff’s Freeway Service Team, which help clear incidents more quickly. The agency is spreading its safety message through social media, highway signs, and by lighting the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee.
