Drivers reminded to Move Over for stopped emergency and work vehicles

As part of National Crash Responder Safety Week, November 18 – 22, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Fran O’Connor is reminding motorists to Move Over for stopped emergency and work vehicles. This year a total of 32 responders have been struck and killed nationally while working in or near moving traffic.

“Crash Responder Safety Week raises public awareness of the dangers our emergency personnel and other roadway workers face every day,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “We all have a responsibility to protect those who protect you. When you see emergency personnel and workers on the road, slow down and move over—it’s the law!”

To support the effort, Governor Murphy signed a proclamation declaring November 18 – 22 as National Crash Responder Safety Week in New Jersey. The goal is to help bring awareness to crash responder safety and the dangers of failing to abide by laws established to protect first responders and motorists at crash scenes.

The New Jersey Move Over Law (New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2) requires motorists to slow down and move over at least one lane, if safe, when there are emergency personnel and workers on the road. Otherwise, a driver must slow down to provide a safer work environment for all first responders, authorized emergency vehicles, and workers on New Jersey roads.

New Jersey is a leading state in Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training provided by NJDOT. It brings police, firefighters, medical personnel, transportation, towing, and other incident responders together to engage in interactive, hands-on incident resolution exercises. In New Jersey, more than 37,000 first responders have completed NJDOT’s TIM training. TIM training is available online, making it possible for even more emergency and incident response personnel to access this life-saving training.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has recognized NJDOT for TIM Training Best Practices related to the creation of training videos and NJDOT’s comprehensive website, www.NJTIM.org, where the online training can be found. The TIM training program focuses on response efforts that protect both motorists and responders at the scene of a crash while minimizing the impact on traffic flow. Multiple agencies working together is a critical factor to safely and quickly responding to and clearing incidents.

For information about New Jersey’s TIM program, or for responders looking to receive this free training, visit NJTIM.org. For real-time travel information, check NJDOT's traffic information website www.511nj.org, and for NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT, on the NJDOT Facebook page, or Instagram @NewJersey.DOT.