TYLER, Texas — Smith County first responders are asking drivers to be more cautious when driving in the area of crash scenes after a firefighter was struck by a truck Sunday night.
According to an annual study conducted by the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, in 2023, 46 first responders lost their lives while responding to scenes on the road.
"It happens more often than you think," Tyler Fire Marshal Joey Hooton said.
When approaching an accident, drivers should follow the Move Over Slow Down law, something officials say is there to protect first responders.
"When approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on, you are to vacate the lane if possible or slow down 20 miles under the speed limit," Tyler police officer J.H. Burge said.
Many of these incidents are related to drivers not paying attention.
"A lot of people are distracted in their vehicles nowadays and you take on top of that we have lights on top of our cars that can be a distraction as well," Burge said. "We're trying to create a safety zone for people involved in the accident and for everybody coming by the accident, so were trying to secure and get everyone through safely as we clear up the scene."
Burge said if anyone is involved in a crash, there are certain steps you should take.
"It's a great idea to move your vehicle if it can be moved," Burge said. "If you're gonna be on the accident scene, get out of the roadway so you're not just something else in the road somebody can hit."
Officials ask drivers to approach accidents with caution, pay attention and to keep first responders safe.
“They have families to go home to, they’re trying to get this scene mitigated as fast as possible, for the citizens to proceed safely," Hooton said. " When approaching accidents, take your time use caution and remember that your day is nowhere near as bad as the person in the car wreck.”