CTDOT Urges Drivers to Slow Down and Move Over to Keep Crash Responders Safe

National Crash Responder Safety Week is November 17-21, 2025

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the Greater Hartford Traffic Incident Management Coalition are calling for increased safety and awareness on the roads for traffic incident responders who put their lives on the line while saving others in honor of National Crash Responder Safety Week, which is November 17-21, 2025. The theme of this year is "Safety Starts with You - Slow Down and Move Over!"

Every year, traffic incident responders put their lives at risk to clear the 7 million motor vehicle crashes that happen across the country. Nearly every week, national numbers show, a traffic incident responder is struck and killed while working to keep roadways safe - with many more sustaining life-altering injuries.

In Connecticut, CTDOT partners closely with law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies, towing and recovery professionals, public works teams, safety service patrols, and many others who respond to roadway incidents. Together, these traffic incident responders assist thousands of drivers every year - providing emergency traffic control, protecting crash scenes, and clearing incidents quickly to keep everyone on the road safe.

"We've unfortunately seen tragedies unfold across the country and here in Connecticut," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. "It's critical motorists understand the important role they play in keeping our first responders and workers safe. We're urging everyone to slow down, move over, and remain vigilant any time they see flashing lights. Lives depend on it."

"During National Crash Responder Safety Week, we honor our first responders who risk their lives on Connecticut roadways every day," said Middletown Police Chief Erik Costa. "Their safety is paramount, as they respond to crisis in the most hazardous conditions. It is our duty to support and advocate for enhanced safety measures, training, and awareness to ensure they return home safely to their families."

Connecticut has one of the strongest "Slow Down, Move Over" laws in the nation, requiring drivers to slow down and, when safe, move over for any vehicle stopped on the side of the road - not just emergency responders.

• On multi-lane roads: Move over one lane if it is safe and reasonable.
• On one-lane roads: Slow down to a reasonable speed.
• Penalties: Violations can result in significant fines, with increased penalties if an injury or death occurs.
• If a driver cannot move over a lane, they are required to slow down and proceed with caution.

In Connecticut, the law took effect in 2009 to reduce risk to law-enforcement officers, emergency responders, and tow operators. It was expanded in 2017 to apply to every stationary vehicle along the roadside.

To help keep roadside responders safe, CTDOT offers free Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training that brings together all incident responders to ensure the safe, quick, and coordinated clearance of crashes. The program focuses on responder safety and consistent incident management practices statewide.

Since 2022, CTDOT has held nearly 350 training sessions, providing valuable resources and information to more than 8,000 incident responders - with approximately 60 classes already booked into 2026.