BYRON, Ga. — Georgia law requires drivers to move over a lane when passing an emergency vehicle. Byron Police Captain Bryan Hunter says if someone can't change lanes, it's important to slow down.
"If you can't move over..at least slow down and be prepared to stop," Hunter said. "We prefer that you move over but we understand especially with the interstate and holiday traffic is fixin' to start, you can't always do that."
According to data from AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety, from 2015 to 2021, 123 first responders died will providing roadside assistance. In February 2024, a Georgia state trooper, Jimmy Cenescar, died after another car struck him while he was investigating a crash on I-75 in Clayton County. Hunter said some of his friends were affected by a driver not paying attention.
"A friend of mine, a wrecker driver was hit by a tractor-trailer while loading a car one day, (it) took him several years to recover from all of his injuries," he said.
Hunter said he recommends when people are behind the wheel, they should refrain from driving while distracted, adding to putting away cellular devices. He also says people should slow down and move over when approaching emergencies or road crews with amber flashing lights.
"A lot of the other workers, EMS, fire, everybody's wearing reflective gear," Hunter said. "Just put the phones down and pay attention to what's going on around you, that's the biggest thing."
He says just because it's the holiday season, being in a rush gets you nowhere if you put others in danger.