What is Crash Responder Safety Week

Every few seconds, a traffic incident responder puts his or her life on the line to aid crash victims and to safely and quickly clear crashes, as well as other traffic incidents that could otherwise result in a secondary crash. Every year, traffic incident responders are killed in the line of duty or bear life-long scars from life-altering injuries.

Crash Responder Safety Week allows every Traffic Incident Management (TIM) community member to make a difference individually and jointly for roadway safety during traffic incidents. Traffic incident response is a collaborative effort engaging EMS, law enforcement, fire and rescue, public works, towing and recovery, transportation, and other disciplines. TIM communities nationwide come together this week by teaching each other and all road users about our common goal and responsibility for safe, quick roadway clearance. TIM communities use this week to:

• Remind all road users to slow down, move over, and remain alert when approaching all forms of traffic incident response activity –whether aiding a stalled vehicle, clearing roadway debris, or responding to a crash.
• Encourage all traffic incident responders to complete the free, four-hour National TIM Responder training.

During this Crash Responder Safety Week—and every week— See a responder ahead? Reduce your speed as you proceed. Slow down, move over, and stay alert when passing traffic incidents.