CONNECTICUT — State transportation officials are marking Crash Responder Safety Week, November 2–6, with a reminder that drivers’ decisions near stopped vehicles affect the people working beside traffic.
CTDOT’s current announcement asks motorists to reduce speed, stay attentive and change lanes away from a roadside stop when safe. If a lane change cannot be made safely, drivers should slow down and proceed cautiously. The agency says the responsibility extends beyond this week’s campaign.
The state Highway Safety Office explains that Connecticut’s move-over requirement covers stationary roadside vehicles, including vehicles that are not emergency vehicles. Drivers should check surrounding traffic and signal before changing lanes. The campaign is guidance for approaching a roadside situation safely, rather than an instruction to make an abrupt lane change.
Police, firefighters, emergency medical crews, tow operators and public works personnel can all face passing traffic while helping at a crash or breakdown. CTDOT says its free Traffic Incident Management training addresses responder safety, scene clearance and communication. A separate agency announcement records more than 10,000 participants trained since 2022, including more than 1,600 during 2026.
The Highway Safety Office says its public-awareness campaign was developed with Colchester Fire and EMS and the Connecticut Construction Industries Association. The accompanying agency campaign photograph illustrates that continuing effort; it does not document a new crash or an event held this week.