Colorado Drivers Urged to Move Over and Protect Lives During Crash Responder Safety Week

Description: A Colorado State Patrol vehicle damaged while investigating a 2023 crash on I-270 in Adams County.

Crash responders' lives are on the line. It doesn’t have to be that way

Governor's proclamation and crash demo kick off Crash Responder Safety Week

Statewide — Just weeks ago, Golden Police lost one of its own in the line of duty. Officer Evan Dunn was responding to a roadside crash in Golden when an impaired driver sped into the scene and killed Officer Dunn and severely injured a fellow officer. Last week, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Tyler Atkins was investigating a crash in El Paso County when he was struck from behind by another vehicle while in his patrol car. In September, two Colorado Department of Transportation maintainers, Nathan Jones and Trent Umberger, were killed while working road maintenance on U.S. 6 in Mesa County. 

Today, Governor Jared Polis signed a Crash Responder Safety Week proclamation, officially designating the week to recognize and promote the safety of first responders working alongside the road. A simulated crash scene, including a Flight for Life Helicopter, was featured at the event to underscore the seriousness of a crash scene response where every second matters.

“In Colorado, we take care of the crash first responders who keep us safe,” said Governor Polis. “This proclamation reminds all Coloradans to be aware, look out for first responders on the road, slow down, move over, and do our part to keep our roads and first responders safe.” 

CDOT, Colorado State Patrol, the Denver Police Department, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) joined the governor to mark the start of Crash Responder Safety Week and raise awareness about the state’s Move Over Law and safe driving near traffic incidents and roadside workers. 

“Working along open roadways is just one of the many dangers first responders face while investigating crashes, conducting traffic enforcement and working to keep people safe,” said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. “I encourage motorists to treat every week as Crash Responder Safety Week by driving safely and helping to ensure crash responders make it home safely to their loved ones at the end of their shift.”

One of today's speakers, Denver Police Department Detective Josh Koen, knows firsthand the life-threatening dangers of crash response. In 2021, Koen was responding to a crash on I-25 near Colfax Avenue when an impaired and speeding driver crashed into a tow truck, in turn crashing into the detective, hurling him 80 feet onto the road.

According to crash data, there were 4,679 secondary crashes in Colorado from 2021 to 2023, resulting in 177 serious injuries and 28 fatalities (mostly among the drivers themselves). Secondary crashes occur when drivers strike an existing crash on the road. Such crashes are particularly dangerous for crash response teams. So far this year there have been 1,158 secondary crashes involving eight fatalities and 63 serious injuries. 

“We have a collective responsibility to protect those who work day and night on the roads to respond to emergencies and help those who need assistance on the roads,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew.  “Each year, too many first responders are struck by passing motorists, causing serious injury or death. Motorists have to be aware when approaching a roadside incident, and we hope this week serves as an important reminder to every Coloradan. These responders are putting their lives on the line every day.”

The press conference honored fallen responders and demonstrated best practices for roadway users. 

National representatives from NHTSA and FHWA highlighted the importance of Colorado’s Move Over Law. The law requires drivers to move over a lane whenever they encounter any stationary vehicle on a highway with its hazards flashing — and if they can't move over, they must slow down to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit. Colorado’s Move Over Law is one of the strongest in the country, safeguarding police, emergency responders, tow trucks, and any disabled vehicles on the side of the road. 

“The simple act of moving over saves lives,” said Gina Espinosa-Salcedo, NHTSA Regional Administrator. “When you move over or slow down, you are protecting that first responder and reducing their chance of being struck and injured.”

In 2023, a total of 45 roadway responders were struck and killed across the country, according to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute yearly report. Among the emergency responders who lost their lives in 2023, there were 14 law enforcement officers, 20 tow truck operators, three safety patrol operators, and eight firefighters and EMS personnel. Notably, the towing industry is 15 times deadlier than all other private industries combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, Colorado emergency workers respond to more than 100,000 crashes every year.

To reduce the risk of roadside collisions, the public can: 

• Never drive impaired. Nearly a third of all roadway fatalities in Colorado are caused by impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol, cannabis and other drugs. 

• Never drive distracted. Pay attention and stay alert. A new Colorado law in effect on Jan. 1, 2025, prohibits drivers from using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free accessory.

• Slow down. Reduce speed as noted in the law, but also obey speed limits and any signage posting speed reductions leading up to an incident. 

Be prepared for inclement weather. Crashes, vehicles needing rescue, and consequently, secondary crashes increase significantly during severe winter weather. All drivers and freight operators must follow Colorado’s Traction and Chain Laws. 

"Although laws vary slightly by each state, move-over laws exist in all 50 because no law enforcement officer, roadside worker or citizen changing a tire should lose their life on the side of the road," stated CSP Lt. Colonel Brand Means. "A frequent scenario with these devastating crashes, like the one that took Officer Evan Dunn's life, is first responders are hit while they are tending to a previous crash. Driving requires all your attention. Know the law, and when you see flashing lights, slow down and move over when possible."

Traffic Incident Management Training

CDOT and its partners are committed to improving traffic incident management (TIM) to detect, respond to, and clear incidents to restore traffic flows as safely and quickly as possible. Effective TIM reduces the duration and impacts of traffic incidents and improves the safety of motorists, crash victims, and emergency responders. CDOT and NHTSA offer extensive training programs for crash responders on the state and federal levels.   

Related Content:

Suspected DUI Driver in Custody After Colorado State Trooper Struck While on Hwy 115 Crash Scene

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