ST. LOUIS — Full awareness on the roads is crucial, especially if you encounter an accident or road crews on your route. Nov. 13-17 is National Crash Responders Week. What does that mean?
"Anytime there are responders out on the roadways, whether they are highway workers, law enforcement, other drivers, construction workers or contractors their safety and yours depends on your focus and attention on driving," Missouri Department of Transportation St. Louis Chief Tom Blair said.
It's an important week to remember to use extra caution when you see any scene ahead on the roads. Last year, 54,000 crashes were reported on Missouri roads that required emergency response. Just last week, three workers were hurt when a driver plowed through a construction zone in north St. Louis County. One worker was seriously injured. The driver was allegedly under the influence.
Missouri's "Move Over" Law requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching a roadside emergency or construction zone. If this doesn't happen, you could spend up to one year in jail with a $2,000 fine.
Josie Beard lost her husband Dennis in a work zone crash in Illinois in 2011.
She said, "Getting in a car is like getting into a speeding bullet. It's the most important thing you'll do all day."
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