DPS NEWS

Crash Responder Safety Week

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 14, 2022) – Crash Responder Safety Week (Nov 14 – 18) 
Crash Responder communities across the nation come together this week by teaching each other and the motoring public about our common goal and responsibility for safe, quick roadway clearance. To achieve these goals, everyone must work together and do their part to ensure that everyone goes home safely.  

The Utah Highway Patrol works tirelessly with our partners, including firefighters, emergency medical services, law enforcement, towing and recovery, transportation, and safety service patrols. Collectively, these traffic incident responders work to assist road users in need and apply well-rehearsed procedures to provide emergency traffic control and quickly clear incidents from roadways.

The 2022 Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) theme is “Respect Our Roadside Heroes.” 

This national event leverages attention to promote Slow Down and Move Over awareness for drivers, and free Traffic Incident Management training for responders:

1.       When passing an incident scene, motorists are asked to slow down and, if possible, move over into an adjacent lane to provide a protective buffer for responders and the motorists behind them.

2.       Local responders are encouraged to take the free National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder training from the FHWA to stay updated on best practices: http://bitly.com/TIMtrain. More than 600,000 responders have been trained to date through free in-person, online instructor-led, or online self-paced curriculum. Far more have yet to be TIM trained.

Join us this week to help spread the message and protect the lives of those working to protect us.  Remember, If you see flashing red, blue, or amber lights, Slow Down and Move Over.