Colorado agencies are highlighting the importance of crash responder safety this week, as the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP), Federal Highway Administration, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mark Crash Responder Safety Week from November 17 to 21. The campaign aims to raise awareness about Colorado’s Move Over Law and the need for drivers to slow down and exercise caution near crash scenes.
“We owe our first responders a huge round of thanks,” said CDOT Deputy Director of Operations Bob Fifer. “They are the true heroes on our roadways as they work to save lives at a crash scene. Unfortunately, far too often, drivers aren’t paying attention as they approach a crash scene and cause a second crash. We must all do our part to keep our first responders safe by slowing down and remaining alert. These responders are putting their lives on the line every day.”
Governor Jared Polis has issued a proclamation dedicating this week to the safety of first responders working alongside roads in Colorado. The proclamation encourages residents to remain vigilant, watch for emergency personnel, and reduce speed when approaching flashing lights.
To illustrate the dangers faced by roadside workers, CSP conducted a demonstration at its Golden training facility that simulated a crash response scenario involving a Flight for Life helicopter. The simulation showed how quickly a minor incident can escalate into serious injuries when another vehicle causes a secondary collision.
“This week highlights the critical need for motorists to slow down and move over to protect our first responders and roadside workers,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “When you see lights flashing ahead, no matter the color, please create a safe workspace for these people. Crash responders show up for the fender bender to the major collisions to assist those involved and get the road open as quickly as possible.”
Data from CDOT shows that between 2022 and 2024 there were 4,775 secondary crashes in Colorado resulting in 259 serious injuries and 43 fatalities—most among drivers themselves. So far in 2025 alone, there have been 1,152 such incidents with 12 deaths and 59 serious injuries.
Secondary crashes occur when vehicles collide with an existing accident scene or response effort on the roadway—a particular risk for emergency personnel clearing incidents or working on scheduled road projects. CDOT works with CSP and other agencies statewide to train staff in best practices for quick incident clearance while keeping everyone safe.
Colorado’s Move Over Law requires motorists encountering any stationary vehicle with hazard lights activated on highways either to move over one lane or reduce speed by at least 20 miles per hour below posted limits if moving over is not possible. This law applies broadly—to police vehicles, emergency services, tow trucks, and disabled cars—and is considered one of the strongest such laws nationally.
The towing industry remains especially hazardous; according to data from federal health authorities it has a fatality rate much higher than most private sectors combined. Each year in Colorado alone, emergency crews respond to more than 100,000 crashes.
A recent example underscoring these risks occurred in October when a CSP vehicle was struck by another motorist while responding in Alamosa.
