Sergeant Joe Lowe of the Wisconsin State Patrol has an important message for all drivers in Wisconsin: highway safety requires everyone’s cooperation, and emergency responders are counting on you.
Wisconsin sees over 116,000 traffic crashes every year. That’s one crash every five minutes. Even more sobering is the fact that emergency responders are killed every year while responding to and clearing these incidents.
Move Over or Slow Down: When you see flashing lights on the roadside—whether it’s a squad car, fire truck, ambulance, tow truck, or utility vehicle—move over a lane if safe to do so. If you can’t move over, slow down. This simple action saves lives.
Steer It, Clear It: If you’re involved in a minor crash where no one is injured and your vehicle is still drivable, move it out of traffic. Pull to a wide shoulder, parking lot, or other safe location. Keeping the roadway clear reduces the risk of secondary crashes and protects everyone, including the emergency crews who respond.
Plan ahead, eliminate distractions, be patient, and remember that highway safety is everyone’s responsibility. The crews at Deer-Grove EMS are committed to keeping you safe on Dane County roads—please help us stay safe too.
For more information, visit wisconsindot.gov/staysafe