Ohio DOT Rolls Out Program for First Responders

ODOT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol brought together law enforcement, fire departments, towing companies and emergency personnel to develop a strategy that will allow them to work together in clearing an accident safely and efficiently. ODOT Spokesman Joe Rutherford says that with every minute caused by an accident, there is a three percent greater chance that someone in the backup will be involved in a crash.  “We want to maximize the responders safety.

We want to maximize the safety of the traveling public. And one of the best ways we can do that is have a coordinated response to these crashes and get in and out of there as soon as possible,” says Rutherford.A change motorists will notice is a different color traffic sign. A pink sign indicating an accident is ahead will alert drivers more efficiently than the typical orange ones, according to Rutherford.

First responders can’t improve safety alone. Motorists can do their part, too. The patrol and ODOT urge drivers to move your car to a safe place, out of the travel lanes, if you are involved in an incident.

When you see flashing lights ahead of you, you need to move over and slow down. Lastly, avoid following too closely. Doing so decreases your ability to see the big picture and can result in your inability to recognize slowing or stopped traffic.