Colorado transportation and safety officials marked Crash Responder Safety Week by urging drivers to follow the state’s Move Over Law and take greater care when approaching crash scenes. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol, Federal Highway Administration, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are highlighting the risks first responders face on roadways.
“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 signed a proclamation for Crash Responder Safety Week, dedicating this period to promoting the safety of those working alongside highways. The proclamation calls on residents to remain aware, watch for emergency personnel, and slow down near flashing lights.
To demonstrate the dangers faced by responders, Colorado State Patrol conducted a simulated crash at its Golden training facility. The exercise included participation from Flight for Life helicopter crews and showed how quickly a minor roadside incident can escalate if motorists do not use caution.
“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.”
Emergency responders in Colorado face serious risk from secondary crashes—incidents where passing vehicles collide with an existing accident scene or during scheduled roadwork projects. CDOT works with law enforcement and other agencies statewide to train personnel in best practices for clearing incidents safely.
Between 2022 and 2024, there were 4,775 secondary crashes in Colorado resulting in 259 serious injuries and 43 deaths—most involving drivers themselves—according to CDOT data. In 2025 alone so far, there have been 1,152 such crashes leading to 12 fatalities and 59 serious injuries.
State law requires drivers encountering any stationary vehicle with hazard lights activated on highways to move over one lane or slow down by at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit if unable to change lanes safely. This law is designed to protect police officers, emergency workers, tow truck operators, and others assisting along roadsides.
The towing industry remains especially hazardous; federal data shows it is significantly more dangerous than other private sectors combined. On average each year in Colorado, emergency workers respond to over 100,000 roadway incidents.
A recent example occurred when a Colorado State Patrol vehicle was struck by another motorist in Alamosa in October 2025.
