Next week is Crash Responder Safety Week, when drivers are reminded of their responsibility to help first responders stay safe while out on the job.
Michigan State Police Lieutenant DuWayne Robinson tells us some drivers can be distracted and forget the basic rules they should be following when police have someone pulled over or an ambulance is approaching.
“They need to be aware when the lights are on, when first responders are pulled over to the side of the road, that they need to slow down and move over or give a lane,” Robinson said. “If they can’t do so, they need to slow down at least 10 miles per hour and proceed with caution.”
Robinson says whether it’s a crash, a stalled vehicle, or roadway debris, first responders have to work on the side of the road and tragedy can result when drivers don’t follow the law.
“And we have some statistics from 2023 showing that 45 responders lost their lives nationwide. That includes police officers, firefighters, EMS, and tow operators.”
Robinson says as a state police trooper, he’s been in close call situations where he was on the side of the road and had to take evasive action to avoid being struck by a driver whizzing by.
Robinson also notes there are penalties for failing to move over or slow down for first responders, and they grow in severity when violations of the law result in injury or death.
