{"id":16302,"date":"2025-11-18T16:14:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T21:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=16302"},"modified":"2025-11-18T16:14:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T21:14:20","slug":"virginia-office-of-emergency-medical-services-observes-crash-responder-safety-week-and-highlights-the-importance-of-roadway-safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/virginia-office-of-emergency-medical-services-observes-crash-responder-safety-week-and-highlights-the-importance-of-roadway-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services Observes Crash Responder Safety Week and Highlights the Importance of Roadway Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Immediate Release:<\/strong> November 18, 2025
\nContact:<\/strong> Marian Hunter, Marian.Hunter@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services Observes <\/strong>Crash Responder Safety Week and Highlights the <\/strong>Importance of Roadway Safety
\n<\/strong>Crash Responder Safety Week is November 17-21, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

RICHMOND, Va. \u2014 As proclaimed by Governor Glenn Youngkin, November 17\u201321 is Crash Responder Safety Week in Virginia<\/a>, observed in alignment with the nationwide effort<\/a> to recognize the critical work of emergency responders and the dangers they face while managing roadway incidents. The Virginia Department of Health\u2019s (VDH) Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) joins partners across the Commonwealth and the nation in raising awareness and promoting safer conditions for those who protect motorists on our roadways.<\/p>\n

Drivers play a critical role in keeping crash responders safe. All motorists are urged to stay alert, slow down, move over into another lane when possible, avoid distractions, and follow instructions from emergency personnel. Virginia\u2019s Move Over law<\/a> requires drivers to change lanes or, if unable to do so safely, reduce their speed when approaching vehicles with flashing lights on the roadside.<\/p>\n

\u201cSafer roadways are in the hands of every driver on the road,\u201d said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD<\/strong>. \u201cThis week is a reminder to slow down, move over, pay attention, and follow directions when approaching roadway incidents. All of us want to get to our destinations safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crash responders include EMS providers, firefighters, law enforcement, tow operators, medical examiners, and transportation personnel who all play pivotal roles in ensuring the safe and efficient clearance of roadway incidents.<\/p>\n

According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, between 40 and 50 crash responders have been tragically killed nationwide while working roadway incidents over the last ten years. Struck-by-vehicle fatalities represent the majority of these deaths, which occur during traffic stops, crash responses, or while providing roadside assistance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough my experience serving as an EMS provider, I understand the serious risks first responders face when working on busy roadways,\u201d said VDH Chief Operating Officer Christopher Lindsay<\/strong>. \u201cDuring Crash Responder Safety Week, we must remember the importance of roadway safety and give our responders the space they need to do their jobs safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBehind every flashing light, there is an emergency responder who has someone waiting for their safe return home,\u201d said Office of EMS Director Maria Beermann-Foat, PhD<\/strong>. \u201cCrash Responder Safety Week reminds us that scene safety starts with every driver at every incident \u2014 slow down, move over, stay alert, and help us protect those who protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roadway incident safety depends on the protective actions taken by responders and the responsible behavior of drivers. Crash responders undergo specialized Traffic Incident Management training to alert the public, guide traffic safely around the scene, and minimize risk to both responders and motorists.<\/p>\n

Remember, when you see flashing lights, stay alert, move over, and slow down. Together, we can build a culture of safety on Virginia\u2019s roadways by taking these precautions and increasing awareness.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the VDH\u2019s Office of EMS, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov\/emergency-medical-services\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Immediate Release: November 18, 2025 Contact: Marian Hunter, Marian.Hunter@vdh.virginia.gov Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services Observes Crash Responder Safety Week and Highlights the Importance of Roadway Safety Crash Responder Safety Week is November 17-21, 2025 RICHMOND, Va. \u2014 As proclaimed by Governor Glenn Youngkin, November 17\u201321 is Crash Responder Safety Week in Virginia, observed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16302","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nVirginia Office of Emergency Medical Services Observes Crash Responder Safety Week and Highlights the Importance of Roadway Safety - Newsroom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/virginia-office-of-emergency-medical-services-observes-crash-responder-safety-week-and-highlights-the-importance-of-roadway-safety\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services Observes Crash Responder Safety Week and Highlights the Importance of Roadway Safety - 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