Pennsylvania Marks Crash Responder Safety Week
Governor Josh Shapiro's proclamation designates November 2-6 to raise awareness of responder safety and the state's Move Over law.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Emergency Response
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Do you move over or slow down when you see emergency vehicles on the road?
Governor Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation in late October 2026 designating November 2-6 as Crash Responder Safety Week in Pennsylvania. The Scranton Fire Department and law enforcement agencies across the state are raising awareness of the campaign.
Why it matters
The campaign educates drivers about Pennsylvania's Move Over law, which requires drivers to move to the right side of the roadway and stop for first responders. It aims to protect residents and emergency responders at emergency scenes and on roadways.
The observance runs from November 2 through November 6, 2026, as set by the governor's proclamation. No incident counts, crash statistics, or responder injury figures were included in the source extraction.
The players
Josh Shapiro
Josh Shapiro is the Governor of Pennsylvania, who signed the proclamation designating the observance week.
Scranton Fire Department
The Scranton Fire Department is the municipal fire agency serving the city of Scranton in Lackawanna County.
The details
Drivers are asked to slow down when approaching emergency scenes and to move over, giving responders room to work. The Scranton Fire Department and law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania are promoting the message during the observance week.
Timeline
Late October 2026: Governor Josh Shapiro signs the Crash Responder Safety Week proclamation.
November 2-6, 2026: Crash Responder Safety Week is observed across Pennsylvania.
Seasonal Patterns
The observance extends Pennsylvania's Move Over law, which already requires drivers to yield to stopped emergency vehicles, into a dedicated public awareness week. It positions the state's responder-safety messaging alongside its existing traffic-safety statute.
Drivers should slow down on approach to emergency scenes and move to the right side of the roadway when it is safe to do so. Following the Move Over law protects both responders and motorists at roadside incidents.
The takeaway
Moving over and slowing down near emergency vehicles is a simple step that protects the people working on the roadside. Keeping the Move Over law in mind every time you pass a scene can prevent serious injuries.
Further reading
For related coverage of how responders are coordinated at emergency scenes, see Emergency Response on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WOLF.
Live Poll
Do you move over or slow down when you see emergency vehicles on the road?
