California Department of Transportation
11/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/02/2026 12:10
Slow Down, Move Over. Lives are on the Line! Statewide Call to Action During Crash Responder Safety Week
Slow Down, Move Over. Lives are on the Line! Statewide Call to Action During Crash Responder Safety Week
Published: Nov 02, 2026
Contacts:
Wayne Wilson: Caltrans (916) 956-0633
Tim Weisberg: OTS (916) 708-5128
Jaime Coffee: CHP (916) 843-3310
Doug Johnson: AAA (415) 225-7505
Robert Craddock: CTTA (916) 617-2882
SACRAMENTO - Caltrans, the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the California Tow Truck Association (CTTA) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) are partnering to mark Crash Responder Safety Week and remind drivers to slow down and move over a lane when navigating work zones and traffic incidents-it's the law and could prevent serious injuries and fatalities on California roadways.
Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) is a campaign dedicated to protecting the lives of traffic incident responders who risk everything to keep our roads safe. These professionals include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, tow operators, utility recovery teams and transportation crews. They work tirelessly, often in dangerous conditions, to clear crashes, assist motorists and prevent secondary incidents.
Every year, crash responders are injured or killed while performing their roadside duties. CRSW 2026 is a call to action for all road users to recognize their role in keeping crash responders safe. The message is simple but powerful: Slow Down, Move Over. Lives are on the Line!
California's Move Over Law has been updated to require drivers to move over a lane and/or slow down when approaching all stopped vehicles on the side of the road displaying flashing hazard lights or another warning device such as cones or flares. This week recognizes that public health, safety and well-being are dependent on the commitment of crash responders to conduct invaluable and often life-saving operations on the side of our roads.
"Safety is always Caltrans' top priority. Slowing down and moving over in work zones is a simple and incredibly effective way to save lives and show respect for people working hard to improve our highway system. Californians can help keep highway workers safe by complying with the Move Over Law and navigating work zones with maximum attentiveness and care."
Dina El-Tawansy, Caltrans Director
"Moving over a lane or slowing down to a reasonable speed for all vehicles on the road or shoulder is a simple, yet powerful action that keeps our first responders safe.On every trip you take, think of our highway workers, tow truck operators, emergency personnel and drivers and passengers involved in a traffic incident. They are someone's loved one who deserves to get home safely. Slow down, stay focused and give crash responders the safe space they need to help people in need."
Stephanie Dougherty, OTS Director
"Crash responders put themselves in harm's way every time they assist motorists, investigate collisions, clear debris or restore the roadway after an incident. During Crash Responder Safety Week, we remind every driver to slow down, move over when possible and stay alert. Those few extra seconds of caution can protect first responders, tow operators, highway workers and others working to get everyone home safely."
Sean Duryee, CHP Commissioner
"With California's expanded Slow Down Move Over Law now including vehicles displaying hazard lights, we have another opportunity to remind motorists that roadside safety begins before we arrive. Tow operators and roadside technicians do not have a superhero cape protecting them. Distracted driving, impairment, speeding, and road rage continue to put everyone working along our roadways at extreme risk."
Craig Baker, California Tow Truck Association President
"Every day, CAL FIRE personnel respond to emergencies on California's roadways. When they arrive at a crash or other incident, they are often working just feet from moving traffic. The safety of all emergency responders depends on drivers paying attention and making the right choices. If you see emergency lights ahead, slow down and move over when it is safe to do so. We all have a role in keeping California's roadways safe, and that includes making sure the men and women responding to emergencies can return home safely."
Joe Tyler, CAL FIRE Director
"As an organization founded on people helping people, AAA has championed 'Move Over' laws for 20 years. Road safety is a shared responsibility. Please help protect anyone on the roadside, whether a worker or a stranded motorist: slow down, and if safe to do so, move over, because everyone deserves to get home safely."
Todd Burger, AAA Northern California Chief Automotive Officer
All 50 states have Move Over laws designed to protect drivers, roadway workers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, tow truck operators and other emergency responders stopped along our roadways. Yet nearly one-third of the public remains unaware of these laws, and traffic-related incidents continue to be a leading cause of death for these professionals. Many of these tragedies could be prevented if motorists complied with California's Slow Down, Move Over Law.
Slowing down and moving over when passing a vehicle stopped on the roadway isn't just a matter of following the law, it is about saving lives.
AB 390 was signed into law, expanding the Slow Down, Move Over requirement to include all stopped vehicles on the side of the road displaying flashing hazard lights or another warning device such as cones or flares. More educational resources can be found online at BeWorkZoneAlert.dot.ca.gov/move-over and GoSafelyCA.org. These sites offer information, safety tips, current road work updates and opportunities to get involved in promoting work zone safety.
Slowing down and moving over when passing a vehicle stopped on the roadway isn't just a matter of following the law, it is about saving lives.
AB 390 was signed into law, expanding the Slow Down, Move Over requirement to include all stopped vehicles on the side of the road displaying flashing hazard lights or another warning device such as cones or flares. More educational resources can be found online at BeWorkZoneAlert.dot.ca.gov/move-over and GoSafelyCA.org. These sites offer information, safety tips, current road work updates and opportunities to get involved in promoting work zone safety.
Crash Responders Week 2026
California Department of Transportation published this content on November 02, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 02, 2026 at 18:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]