Happy National Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW)! This week is an opportunity for the responder community to come together and remind motorists about the importance of abiding by traffic laws to protect responder safety. Additionally, responders should take time to explore necessary training to ensure they have the most up-to-date tools to safely and quickly clear crashes.
This year, Governor Kemp proclaimed Tuesday, November 19, to be Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Day in Georgia. To observe this day, motorists should review what measures they can take to help keep crash responders and victims safe.
It’s important for all motorists to be aware of dangers presented by high speeds when passing an incident scene. The 2024 National CRSW theme is Responders Ahead! Reduce Your Speed As You Proceed. Motorists are reminded that there is a 10 percent risk of death if the vehicle is travelling at 23 mph, increasing to 50 percent at 42 mph, and a 90 percent risk of death at 58 mph. These statistics highlight the life-saving importance of slowing down when passing an incident scene.
Furthermore, there are three crucial Georgia laws to help keep responders safe that motorists should always have on the forefront of their minds when operating a vehicle:
Drivers approaching an incident scene or a stopped emergency vehicle should change into a lane not immediately adjacent to the vehicle, or slow down to a reasonable speed if they are unable to safely make a lane change.
When a traffic accident occurs with no apparent serious injury or death, and the vehicle is capable of being normally and safely driven, drivers of the motor vehicles involved should remove said vehicles from the immediate confines of the roadway into a safe refuge on the shoulder, emergency lane, or median or to a place otherwise removed from the roadway.
Drivers cannot have a phone in their hand or touching any part of their body while talking on their phone and driving. Drivers also cannot write, read, or send text messages and e-mails, or view social media content and other internet data while on the road, nor can they watch or record videos when they are on the road.
Finally, crash responders should ensure that they are up to date on all necessary training so they’re ready to safely and quickly clear crashes. Check out the TIME Task Force calendar for training around the state, such as Heavy Wrecker Technical Rescue Training for Responders, Livestock Emergency Response Plan training, National TIM Responder Training, Railroad Investigation Safety Course, and more!
Crash responder safety requires constant vigilance from responders and motorists alike. Together, we can increase public awareness of traffic laws and ensure responders make it home safely from their life-saving work. Learn more about National CRSW at the National Operations Center of Excellence website or the FHWA website.