(COLORADO) — On Monday, Nov. 18, Governor Jared Polis signed a proclamation officially designating the week as Crash Responder Safety Week.
Governor Polis signed the declaration after multiple crashes injured and killed members of law enforcement and state employees while they were working on the side of the road.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, Golden Police Officer Evan Dunn was responding to a roadside crash when an impaired driver allegedly sped into the scene, killed Officer Dunn and severely injured another officer. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Colorado State Patrol trooper Tyler Atkins was injured while investigating a crash on Highway 115 in El Paso County. Two CDOT employees were killed while working road maintenance on U.S. 6 in Mesa County in September.
Crash Responder Safety Week is designed to recognize and promote the safety of first responders working alongside the road. The proclamation is also to raise awareness about Colorado’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over a lane or slow down if they can’t move over when approaching responders on the shoulder.
“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.”
According to CDOT, from 2021 to 2023, there were 4,679 secondary crashes resulting in 177 serious injuries and 28 fatalities. So far in 2024, there have been 1,158 secondary crashes involving 63 serious injuries and eight fatalities.
CDOT said 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.
The signing also featured a simulated crash scene, including a Flight for Life Helicopter to highlight the seriousness of a crash scene response.
