Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has issued a proclamation designating November 18-22 as Crash Responder Safety Week in the state, aligning with a national effort to improve awareness of the critical role motorists have in ensuring the safety of first responders on highways. This year’s theme for Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) is “Responders Ahead! Reduce your speed as you proceed.”
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) highlights the crucial role of HELP Truck drivers who are frequently the first responders to incidents on some of the state’s busiest roadways. Their primary aim is to alleviate traffic congestion and prevent secondary crashes through safe and swift clearance. However, these responders are often at risk themselves. This year alone, 20 HELP Trucks have sustained significant damage from crashes, resulting in injuries to five HELP Operators.
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Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley emphasized the importance of showing respect on the road to these frontline workers. “This week presents a vital opportunity for both individual and collective action to enhance roadway safety during traffic incidents. We share the important goal and responsibility of ensuring safe roads for all. Let us honor and protect those who protect you by adhering to the law: please move over and slow down,” he stated.
In the current year, TDOT reports that 93 vehicles and equipment have been hit, including 20 major strikes on HELP Trucks. These incidents have led to 18 injuries, five of which involved HELP Operators. There have been 31 HELP Truck crashes, covering all incidents, even those with minimal damage. From January to October, there have been 69,889 incident responses.
One notable incident this year involved a TDOT HELP truck driver who successfully prevented a potentially dangerous wrong-way driver crash. This incident is documented in a video that can be viewed [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEZuG1Ygg-A). According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, there have been 1,397 wrong-way crashes across the state from January 2024 to November 2024, marking an increase from 1,286 crashes in the same period last year.
The Federal Highway Administration initiated the commemoration of CRSW in 2016, taking place annually during the second full week of November. TDOT encourages the public to follow them on [X](https://x.com/myTDOT), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/my_tdot/), and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/myTDOT1) to further amplify the visibility and message of this significant week.
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West Tennessee Road Construction Updates
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has announced various construction and maintenance projects across West Tennessee from November 13 to November 20, 2024, involving lane closures in 21 counties, including resurfacing, bridge repairs, and intersection improvements. Travelers can find real-time updates and traffic conditions on the TDOT website www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic or by calling 511, and they are advised to remain vigilant and informed while driving.