Crash Responder Week in Utah
Declaration
Whereas, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, road
maintenance crews, public service utility workers, and tow operators place themselves in danger every
time they work within inches of vehicles traveling at highway speeds to conduct valuable, life-saving
operations in adverse weather conditions;
Whereas, it is imperative that we recognize the incredible service roadway and crash
responders provide our state and communities and promote safer incident scenes through public
education and awareness to protect all responders as they courageously work to clear traffic-related
incidents;
Whereas, Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) serves as an opportunity for the Utah
Department of Public Safety – Utah Highway Patrol Division (DPS-UHP), the Utah Department of
Transportation (UDOT) and all first responder agencies in the state to participate in coordinated efforts
to educate the public and bring awareness to first responder safety, and to promote effective Traffic
Incident Management strategies and training for first responders;
Whereas, the state of Utah reminds drivers of the “Move Over” law (UCA 41-6a-904)
which states, “
The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that
is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights (and flashing
amber lights), shall:
The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that
is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights (and flashing
amber lights), shall:1
- The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that
is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights (and flashing
amber lights), shall:
a. reduce the speed of the vehicle;
b. provide as much space as practical to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle; and
c. if traveling in a lane adjacent to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle and if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle”;
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Whereas, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, less than 30%
of Americans are aware of move-over laws and fail to abide by them; and
Whereas, Utah is committed to increasing safety and improving quality of life with effective traffic incident response and management through collaboration and training, which reduces the duration and impacts of traffic incidents and improves the safety of motorists, crash victims, and emergency responders;
Whereas, more than 750 first responders have participated in Utah Traffic Incident Management Coalition efforts throughout the state since 2021, and 3,716 responders have completed FHWA TIM Certified training either in person or online by the end of 2022; and,
Whereas, during Crash Responder Week, the state of Utah remembers and honors the national first responders who lost their lives in 2022: 17 Law Enforcement, 11 Fire/EMS, 18 Tow Operators, 4 Road-Side Technicians, 1 DOT/SSP, for a total of 51 first responders;
Now, therefore, I, Spencer J. Cox, governor of the state of Utah, do hereby declare Nov.
13-17, 2023, as
Click here to download the Crash Responder Week Declaration 23 PDF