Minnesota officials urge drivers to slow down, move over near crash scenes
ST. PAUL — Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths and first responders used Crash Responder Safety Week, observed Nov. 2-6, to remind drivers to slow down and move over when it is safe to do so near traffic incidents. According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, 360 crash responders in the United States have been killed or injured since 2019 while assisting at incident scenes. They include law enforcement officers, emergency medical services and fire personnel, tow truck operators and highway workers. Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed the week, which marked its 11th anniversary. This year’s theme was “Slow Down, Move Over. Lives are on the Line!” Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths said drivers who reduce their speed when passing responders working roadside greatly reduce the risk of death in a secondary crash. Minnesota’s Move Over Law requires drivers approaching stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles to move over one lane when it is safe, or slow down when moving over is not safe. While all 50 states have move over laws, the program said one-third of the public is not aware of the law. Officials stress that an incident scene where first responders are working is a work zone. “When you see flashing responder
