The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), Nevada State Police, and partner agencies are reminding drivers to slow down and move over for traffic incident responders during national Crash Responder Safety Week, Nov. 17–21.
The safety campaign is part of a national effort to raise awareness of the dangers faced by traffic incident responders and the importance of Nevada’s “Move Over” law. The law requires drivers to slow down, proceed with caution, and move over when possible when approaching emergency response vehicles, NDOT vehicles, tow trucks, and other vehicles displaying flashing lights on Nevada roadsides.
“Every day, responders risk their lives to help others on our roadways,” NDOT Director Kristina Swallow said. “We ask all drivers to do their part to keep responders safe by slowing down and moving over.”
Traffic incidents are a leading cause of death for emergency responders nationwide. According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, a responder is struck and killed approximately every 30 days while helping at a roadside incident.
To honor responders lost in the line of duty, NDOT has placed memorial signs on Nevada highways for Trooper Alberto Felix and Sgt. Michael Abbate, who were killed in a roadside crash in 2023.
Crash Responder Safety Week also highlights the role of NDOT’s Traffic Management Center, which helps monitor and respond to incidents on Nevada roads. The center coordinates with law enforcement, fire departments, and tow operators to quickly clear crashes and reduce secondary incidents.
NDOT encourages drivers to:
•Stay alert and avoid distractions
•Slow down when approaching flashing lights
•Move over one lane when safe to do so
•Follow posted speed limits and traffic signs
For more information on Crash Responder Safety Week and Nevada’s Move Over law, visit
www.dot.nv.gov
.
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