Police, Fire/Rescue, MDOT, MDTA and Tow Companies Stage Incident on Dorsey Run Road In Howard County to Share Best Practices and Stress Move Over Law

(December 1, 2016) – Most motorists who travel the same roads to and from work each day are well aware of the predictably congested areas.  Unfortunately, drivers have limited options to avoid nearly 50 percent of traffic congestion caused by traffic crashes, broken down vehicles, debris in the road or other incidents.

Quick response to clear incidents is critical to keeping traffic moving. On Maryland highways, it takes police or state highway personnel an average of 12 minutes to arrive at an incident and approximately 23 minutes to reopen the travel lanes.  Keeping traffic moving and quickly clearing incidents is dangerous for highway personnel, police, fire and rescue and Hazmat crews.  Dozens of first responders are injured on highways every year.

“The clear purpose behind Maryland’s Move Over Law is to save the lives of our police officers, emergency service providers and our tow service operators while working the scene of an incident,” said Captain Dan Pickett, Troop Commander for the Maryland State Police Washington Metro Troop.  “If moving to another lane is not possible, the law requires drivers to slow down to a reasonable speed.  This law provides an extra barrier of safety necessary for all emergency personnel to focus on assisting people at the scene.”

Each year in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) CHART Emergency Traffic Patrols (ETP) assist more than 77,000 motorists, an average of 200 people every day.  While MDOT’s ETP units provide an invaluable service, it is only through partnership and teamwork of all responders that incidents are cleared quickly from Maryland’s roads.  From police to fire companies, to Hazmat and tow companies, each agency plays a crucial role in incident response and more importantly, the safe and timely restoration of travel lanes after an incident.

 

 

 

Today, more than 15 agencies and 150 personnel from across Maryland gathered on a section of Dorsey Run Road in Howard County to stage a mock incident as a training exercise.  The simulation  included an overturned tractor trailer leaking hazardous materials. The mock incident highlighted the importance of attentive driving and the Move Over Law. 

“The men and women of the Maryland State Highway Administration work every day to clear incidents from some of the busiest roads in the country. Even with the Move Over Law in place, first responders continue to be struck by drivers not paying attention,” said SHA Administrator Gregory Johnson, PE.  “We must all give full attention to driving.  Anything less can literally be a life or death decision.”

In the event your vehicle become disabled or you are involved in a crash:

¨ Move your vehicle as far off the road as possible.

 

¨ Call #77 on Maryland interstates to reach the nearest State Police barrack or 911 in the event of a crash that involves any injury.

 

¨ If your vehicle is disabled, stay in the vehicle and remain buckled once you are safely off the road.

 

¨ Do not under any circumstances become

 a pedestrian and put yourself in danger.

 

¨ As a reminder, always Move Over into the next lane or slow down when passing emergency responders on the shoulder.  It is Maryland law.

 

¨ Always place children in the proper child safety seats.