Every year, hundreds of emergency responders across the country representing fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, towing and transportation agencies such as MoDOT are struck and either injured or killed while responding to incidents on the roadways. In fact, traffic incidents are the leading cause of death for EMS responders and law-enforcement officers.

A news release says Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW), formerly known as Traffic Incident Management Week, runs from Monday, November 8, through Sunday, November 14.

According to the National Operations Center of Excellence, this week is “an opportunity to make a difference individually and jointly for roadway safety during traffic incidents by teaching each other and the monitoring public about our common goal and responsibility for safe, quick clearance.”

As reported by AAA, every year approximately 200 roadside workers lose their lives in the line of duty, and MoDOT workers are included in this tragic statistic. In 2021, MoDOT lost longtime Maintenance Supervisor Lloyd Crawford in the line of duty when a motorist struck and killed him while he was responding to a flooding emergency. In 2012, MoDOT tragically lost another employee when a motorist struck and killed Emergency Response Operator Clifton Scott who was attending to a crash.

Responders need your help to get everyone home safely every single day. You can help by buckling up, keeping your eyes on the road, slowing down and moving over for all emergency vehicles.