Arizona marks Crash Responder Safety Week

PHOENIX – Imagine this scenario: You’ve just been in a crash with another vehicle on the highway. Traffic is backing up behind you and other vehicles are speeding by. 

You want to get out of travel lanes and to the shoulder where it’s safer, but traffic is traveling too fast to safely get there. Then law enforcement and highway maintenance crews arrive and stop traffic so you can drive your damaged vehicle to the shoulder. Emergency medical personnel on scene provide aid and a tow truck operator comes to remove your vehicle from the highway. 

These responders put themselves in harm’s way to help motorists, like the one in this example, involved in crashes when incidents occur on Arizona roadways, and they implement traffic control to help the traveling public safely navigate through an incident.

Working around oncoming traffic is dangerous, and we need all drivers to help keep crash responders safe. During National Crash Responder Safety Week (Nov. 2-6), traffic safety stakeholders across Arizona and the nation call on the traveling public: “Slow down, move over. Lives are on the line.”

“ADOT’s crews put traffic control in place when incidents occur on the highway to keep responders safe, as well as the traveling public,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “We work with partner agencies to clear incidents as quickly and safely as possible, but we need help from drivers, too. Drivers need to pay attention when they see flashing lights from vehicles at the scene of an incident. Slow down and move over to keep responders safe.” 

ADOT’s Incident Response Unit, sponsored by GEICO, and highway maintenance crews use their trucks and set up cones to create more room for law enforcement and other responders to work incident scenes. This allows drivers to safely pass around an incident and helps first responders reopen travel lanes as quickly as possible.

“One simple choice can save a life: Move Over or Slow Down. In Arizona, the safety of our roadside workers, first responders, and stranded motorists depends on drivers making that choice every day. State law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching stationary vehicles displaying flashing or warning lights, and when that isn’t possible, to reduce speed and proceed with extreme caution. The Arizona Department of Public Safety urges every driver to stay alert, give space, and help ensure that the people serving our communities make it home safely,” Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, said.

In 2025, there were 66 possible crashes involving first responders or their vehicles across all Arizona roads, according to crash reports submitted by law enforcement agencies and compiled by ADOT. 

Director Torrez with the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety would like to remind us, "Every tragic roadside struck-by incident is entirely preventable. Our first responders and roadside crews dedicate their lives to protecting us during our worst moments, and they deserve to return home safely at the end of every shift. During Crash Responder Safety Week and every day after, we urge all drivers to stay alert, drop the distractions, slow down, and move over. A simple lane change saves lives."

Arizona recorded 118,052 vehicle crashes in 2025, including more than 38,800 involving injuries or deaths. Responding to roadside incidents puts first responders at risk: from 2017 through July 2026, 10 Arizona first responders were struck and killed. The Arizona Department of Health Services certifies the state’s emergency medical services (EMS) providers and urges drivers to observe Arizona’s Move Over Law by slowing down or safely changing lanes when observing flashing vehicle/emergency lights on the road ahead. This protects both first responders and motorists.

“When someone is hurt in a crash, our EMTs and paramedics bring care and comfort during a frightening moment, often just feet from passing traffic,” said Arizona Department of Health Services Director Debbie Johnston. “This Crash Responder Safety Week, please show them the same care they show our loved ones: move over when it’s safe, and slow down if you can’t. Giving them room to help someone’s family helps them get home to their own.”

A traffic safety message that encourages motorists to follow Arizona’s “Move Over law,” will be displayed on overhead message boards statewide as part of ongoing efforts to increase safety for both first responders and motorists.

“All crash responders, we just respond, day or night, rain or searing heat, without thinking twice about the ‘what could happen!’ We just know that there are people in need of help and they are counting on somebody to show up to help them. We are those heroes of the highways that they are depending on being there for them, without fear or hesitation,” said Pete Colantoni of the Board of Directors with the Tow Operators Safety Coalition of AZ. “We don’t ask for awards or notoriety, we only ask for motorists to pay attention and let us get home to our families alive!”

In addition to slowing down and moving over, drivers can protect responders (and themselves) by practicing “quick clearance.” If a driver is involved in a minor crash without injuries they should remove their vehicle from the roadway if it is operable and can be moved safely. This helps improve safety for everyone on the road.

“Every day, Phoenix firefighters and paramedics respond to crashes and other incidents on our freeways and city streets. The greatest risk we face isn’t always the original emergency—it’s the distracted or inattentive driver who fails to slow down and move over when they see our lights,” Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade said. “Arizona’s Move Over law is simple: change lanes if you can, or slow down if you can’t. That one action protects our crews so we can protect everyone else on the road.”

If you are involved in a crash:

• Make sure you and vehicle occupants are OK. 
• If the vehicle is operable, move to the shoulder, median or exit the highway. Stay out of travel lanes.
• Call 911.
• Stay alert and watch for approaching traffic.
• Do not leave the scene of a crash.