HARTFORD, Conn. — First responders put their lives on the line to protect and serve the community, regardless of the conditions. Per state law, cars need to slow down and move over to keep those first responders safe.
“First responders, there’s often times when we have to stop in a lane to move debris or there’s a motor vehicle accident in a lane that can be hazardous,” said Connecticut State Police Sgt. Christine Jeltema.
Police and fire crews were on the scene of a crash on Interstate 91 in Windsor Locks on Wednesday morning, when an oncoming car struck a firetruck, causing significant damage to the firetruck.
“Thankfully nobody was in the firetruck,” said Jeltema.
By luck, everyone was OK, but this crash could have been avoided if the driver obeyed the law.
Cindy Iodice lost her brother in April 2020 to an impaired driver, who was hit and killed on the Meritt Parkway, working as a tow truck driver. Since then, Cindy has made it her mission to educate and raise awareness of the Move Over Law.
“In the State of Connecticut, if there is a disabled vehicle on the shoulder, you’re required to slow down and if it’s safe to do so, move over,” said Iodice.
Last year, more than 650 drivers were cited for failing to move over, and state police say that number needs to go down.
“I don’t think that people are being mindful, and they see the first responders and the lights often too late where they don’t have the ability to move over,” says Jeltema.
Fran Mayko, Spokesman with AAA Northeast, has worked with Cindy Iodice and her nonprofit to help spread awareness of the law.
“Cindy has taken her grief and turned it in a very positive direction,” said Mayko.
“Flagman Safety was born because Corey was killed. And my family and I would not likely be in this space had it not been for this tragedy” says Iodice.
AAA Northeast will honor Cindy and Sen. Richard Blumenthal for their work to spread awareness of the Move Over Law. Blumenthal submitted a senate resolution calling for a national Move Over Day, as his way of generating greater awareness of the Move Over Law throughout the country.
Lauren Zenzie is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lzenzie@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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