It’s National EMS week, and 2022 marks the 47th year in which we celebrate the work of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) practitioners in our communities. During this time, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians partners with the American College of Emergency Physicians to recognize EMS accomplishments.
To raise awareness, I would like to highlight the main hazard that EMS personnel face daily—vehicular accidents. Let’s also examine what’s being done to make their jobs more safe, so that they continue to safeguard our health, safety, and well-being.
Know the Risks
EMS workers and emergency responders are often struck by vehicles while working near or in roadways.
In 2020 alone:
- 4,100 EMS workers were treated in hospitals for injuries caused by vehicles
- 46 emergency responders were fatally struck by vehicles in the line of duty.
Keys to Keep You Safe
Many states have implemented some adaptation of federal “Move Over, Slow Down” legislation, enacted to help protect emergency responders.
Pennsylvania’s Move Over, Slow Down law requires motorists approaching an emergency response area to move over to a lane further away. Drivers approaching an emergency response area unable to safely merge into the furthest lane should “pass the emergency response area at a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit and reasonable for safely passing.”
An emergency response area is defined when an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, or where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs, or try to warn travelers.
Disabled vehicles are also covered by the Move Over law when they display at least two of the following markings: vehicular hazard signal lamps; caution signs or other traffic control devices; and road flares.
In the spirit of national EMS week and transportation week, it’s important for all us to respect the law and keep our emergency responders safe. As a transportation solutions provider, this message resonates with Dawood as a reflection of our safety culture and shared values with clients such as PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.