NDOT, NSP, and Nebraska Agencies Recognize Crash Responder Safety Week
Nov. 17, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.) — Today, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), in partnership with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln Police Department, and Lincoln Fire & Rescue recognized Crash Responder Safety week.
Crash Responder Safety Week, Nov. 17-21, is a national initiative sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Gov. Pillen has signed a proclamation declaring the Week in Nebraska, emphasizing the importance of effective traffic incident response, reducing secondary crashes, and the critical role of crash responders. This year, the Week’s theme reminds drivers that Safety Starts With You – Slow Down, Move Over, emphasizing a focus on driver safety when navigating around crashes.
“Every crash presents unique circumstances for first responders, but one thing they share is the risk of secondary crashes,” said Colonel Bryan Waugh, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As first responders provide care for those involved, investigate the crash, and work to reopen the roadway, we rely on the public to keep those responders safe. Secondary crashes are preventable. Give your full attention to the road, slow down, and move over when you approach a crash scene.”
This year’s theme complements NDOT’s participation in the nationwide Traffic Incident Management (TIM) program. TIM is a planned approach that works to standardize how emergency responders detect, respond to, and safely and quickly clear traffic incidents. The program promotes best practices for crash clearance, and motorist and responder safety.
"Safe and timely clearance of highway incidents is an NDOT priority," NDOT Director Vicki Kramer said. "Crash Responder Safety Week is one way we spotlight that effort. Just last year, NDOT finalized its Traffic Incident Management training series for emergency responders along the I-80 corridor, and in recent months we’ve placed emphasis on making drivers aware of the state's new 'Move Over, Slow Down' law."
Nebraska’s updated Move-Over Law (LB 530) went into effect Sept. 3 after passing through the Nebraska Legislature and receiving Gov. Jim Pillen’s signature earlier this year. Previously, the law applied only to emergency and roadside assistance vehicles on controlled-access highways. Drivers on these highways must now move over when approaching any stopped vehicles or vulnerable road users – including pedestrians, construction crews, bicyclists, and ag equipment -- on the same side of the highway.
According to NSP, troopers have cited 165 drivers for a move over violation so far in 2025. In 2024, 136 drivers were cited, and in 2023 there were 83 citations.
Today, NDOT, NSP, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln Police Department, and Lincoln Fire & Rescue held a joint press conference and training exercise, demonstrating a crash response and best practices.
See the complete press conference here.