Move over, slow down during Crash Responder Safety Week

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and its federal, state, county and community partners are reminding Hawaiʻi motorists to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles during Crash Responder Safety Week, Nov. 13 to 17.

Traffic incidents are the number one cause of death for emergency responders nationwide. Hawaiʻi’s most recent incident was on Feb. 19, 2023, when a 25-year-old motorist pinned a police officer responding to an earlier crash, between two vehicles.

Under Hawaiʻi’s Move Over Law, a driver who injures or kills a person at the site of a roadside emergency may be charged with negligent homicide or negligent injury. The full text of the law can be found here.

“We’re asking everyone to be mindful when you drive, especially if you see flashing lights,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen. “Slowing down and moving over is a small price to pay to help our roadside heroes.”

The Move Over law helps to protect everyone on the road. This includes emergency vehicles, tow trucks, City and County vehicles and State vehicles.