Roadside Chat - Protect those who protect you. Move over for them.
This week we recognize all of our first responders for the work they do every day to keep us safer on the road with “Crash Responder Safety Week.”
These brave men and women put their lives on the line to do all they can to help your loved ones at a crash scene, Their wish is that you do all you can do as a driver to protect them so they can make it home safely to their families.
To that end, the theme of this national recognition week is “Protect Those Who Protect You.”
When you’re on the road, the most effective way to keep both you and the responders on a scene safer is to pay close attention to your surroundings when you’re behind the wheel.
When you see flashing lights ahead, no matter what the vehicle may be, move over to another lane if you can or slow down to safely pass.
Protecting those who protect you hit very close to home this week as a tow truck driver was killed in Des Moines while assisting a motorist - https://www.kcci.com/article/deadly-urbandale-crash-interstate-80-35-dmytro-prysich-joshua-villa/45822275
So far this year in Iowa, 325 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of 11 since last Friday. In Iowa in 2022, there were 338 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf