GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – It’s annual Crash Responder Safety Week in Wisconsin – placing the spotlight on the dangerous jobs of responders and how every driver can make things a little bit safer.
Every year, an average of 136,000 traffic crashes happen throughout the State of Wisconsin. Many of these crashes create a need for emergency response because of property damages or urgent medical needs.
Governor Tony Evers proclaimed November 8-14, 2021 as Crash Responder Safety Week. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) joins other organizations in a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the important, dangerous job of crash response.
Wisconsin State Patrol Sergeant Jennifer Austin says it’s always important to be paying attention.
“The best thing for people to do is to make sure that they’re paying attention, especially if you see that there’s lots of brake lights up ahead. Start slowing down in advance and make sure you’re putting your phone down and see what’s going on so that way you can respond accordingly,” Austin said. “Make sure that you’re leaving a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead. That way if you do have to hit your brakes, you have enough time in order to stop and prevent that crash…Safety is everyone’s job, it’s everyone’s responsibility, no matter the day, time, or season.”
Secondary crashes, which happen after the initial incidents, put those involved and first responders in danger. There have been more than 3,600 secondary crashes in Wisconsin since 2017. In the past five years, more than 1,800 people have been injured and 35 have died in those crashes.
“Whenever you see us working on the roadside, please move over and slow down. It’s the law, and it’s about keeping us safe so we can clear that incident in order to keep you safe and [keep] traffic moving on the highway,” Austin told WTAQ News. “The longer anything is in the roadway or in a lane of traffic, the higher the potential is of that secondary incident to occur.”
It’s not just statistics, either. Austin says it’s not uncommon for her to have a close call while responding to a scene.
Especially with the winter months coming, it’s a good idea to plan ahead.
“[I’ve seen] a lot of close calls as an officer sitting on the side of the road, protecting others that are up ahead, and trying to give traffic an advance warning,” Austin said. “I can hear the brakes squeaking. I can hear and see the drivers that are trying to avoid another. So there’s many times that those near collisions are potentially there in those backup type situations.”
“Look at 511 and what that’s doing, listen to the radio and see what the forecast is for that day in traveling,” Austin said.
Every driver makes a difference
· Move Over/slow down when passing by an incident scene to provide a protective buffer for responders and the motorists behind you.
· If you can “Steer It, Clear It.” Many drivers think they should not move their car if they are involved in a fender bender or crash. If (and only if) your car is drivable and there are no injuries, you should move your car to the shoulder or nearby safe place off of the road before calling 911.
· Plan ahead. Know before you go with 511wi.gov for updates on road conditions and incidents.
· Visit wisconsindot.gov/staysafe to learn more about safe driving tips, links to best practices for winter road safety, and the law.
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