‘Safety starts with you’: 2025 Crash Responder Safety Week declared in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green declared Nov. 17-21 as Crash Responder Safety Week by — and Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation along with its federal, state, county and community partners remind motorists throughout the Aloha State to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles.

Secondary traffic crashes are the No. 1 cause of death nationwide for emergency responders.

“Last year, 20 police officers and two ambulance workers were injured while responding to motor vehicle crashes on duty,” said Green in an announcement about the special observance. “Crash Responder Safety Week is a time to remind drivers of what they should always do to keep the responders providing life-saving services safe.”

This year marks the 10th year that federal, state and local agencies have come together for Crash Responder Safety Week. The theme for the 2025 observance is “Safety Starts With You — Slow Down and Move Over!”

Hawaiʻi law says drivers must slow down or move over to leave a clear lane between the driver and a stopped emergency vehicle.

A video explanation of the law is available here and full text of the law can be found here.

“Slowing down and moving over gives first responders the space they need to work safely,” said Hawaiʻi Police Department Traffic Services Program Manager Torey Keltner on the Big Island in the announcement. “Recently, one of our officers was injured by a passing motorist, underscoring how critical it is for the public to follow this law. We sincerely appreciate the community’s support in helping keep responders safe.”

More information about National Crash Responder Safety Week can be found at the National Operations Center of Excellence website.

State Department of Transportation officials encourages Hawai‘i residents to share information about the Move Over Law with the hashtag #CRSW and click here to learn more about driving safely in work zones and crash sites.