Move Over or Slow Down, Lives Are on the Line

WHEREAS, each year, Crash Responder Safety Week is set aside to recognize the often lifesaving work of our crash responders. This year’s theme is “Move Over or Slow Down, Lives Are on the Line”; and

WHEREAS, all drivers on Wisconsin roadways have a responsibility to follow the laws (Move Over or Slow Down law- Stat. 346.072 and Wisconsin Act 115 – Banning Cell Phone Use in an Emergency Response Area) and take every precaution necessary to reduce the risk of secondary crashes; and

WHEREAS, in 2025, in Wisconsin emergency responders responded to over 128,000 traffic crashes. Of those, 2068 crashes occurred in work zones, resulting in 620 injuries and 7 fatalities; and

WHEREAS, in 2025 first responders from Pittsville Fire Company responded to 17 crashes resulting in 2 fatalities: and

WHEREAS, at every crash scene, emergency responders – including fire, law enforcement, emergency medical service providers, and towing and transportation services – are at risk of being struck and injured, or even killed, in a secondary crash; and

WHEREAS, in 2025 a total of 36 first responders across the United States have been lost due to struck-by-incidents on our roadways; and

WHEREAS, our first responders play a key role in keeping our roadways and communities safe; let’s do our part to keep them safe as well; and

WHEREAS, the City of Pittsville joins the Wisconsin Department of Transportation recognizing the need for public awareness and acknowledgment that we are all responsible for preventing secondary crashes that endanger the lives of our dedicated emergency personnel.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mark Darr, Mayor of City of Pittsville, do hereby proclaim November 2 through November 6, 2026, as:

CRASH RESPONDER SAFETY WEEK

in the City of Pittsville and urge all citizens to learn more about roadway crash safety and to recognize the hard work of our emergency responders.