In mid-November 2019, this three-vehicle crash occurred on Route 19 near Lutz Road in Jackson Township.

Starting Tuesday, drivers who don't move over at emergency sites could face increased penalties.

“The dangers can happen in the blink of an eye,” said Slippery Rock Fire Chief Ryan Hanchosky.

Pennsylvania's Move Over Law is a revision of its 2017 predecessor, and it goes into effect Tuesday.

The law requires drivers approaching an emergency response area to slow down at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit and to safely merge into a lane away from where the emergency vehicle sits.

According to the law, an emergency area is established when it has two of the following markings: vehicular hazard signal lamps; caution signs or other traffic control measures; or road flares.

Hanchosky said his crew also likes to deploy its tower truck, one of their biggest trucks, as a blocking unit, which should be recognizable to the public. He said despite this, there are some who will still ignore these signs and calls to slow down.

“We're always going to treat the situation as if the worst can happen,” said Hanchosky. “I can replace a $1 million firetruck. I can't replace one of my people's lives.”

Hanchosky said state police also have also been helping on busier roads by sending more units to assist with traffic control.

He said he is thankful for the support of legislators in this regard, and he believes recent events will continue to keep the topic in the forefront of people's minds.

“I think a lot of us got our eyes opened last week,” he said.

Justin Williams, a member of the Clintonville Volunteer Fire Department, was struck Thursday by a semitruck while he was directing traffic for a vehicle accident on Interstate 80.

According to a state police report about the incident, Williams was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Hanchosky said as much as fire crews can look out for each other, they only have so much control over a situation, and they need people to stay educated and compliant with laws on approaching emergency scenes.

“Every time the trucks leave the door, we're always going to be concerned for our safety,” he said. “At the end of the day, we have families to go home to, and we have jobs to go to the next day.”

In a news release Tuesday, state agencies referenced the changes to the law, which go into effect during National Work Zone Awareness Week.

“Last year, 55 state police vehicles were struck at traffic stops, disabled motorists or crash scenes,” said state police Lt. Col. Price in the release. “The goal of the Move Over Law is to prevent these dangerous situations.”

The release said, as with first responders, accidents involving workers along road have continued.

According to PennDOT data, in 2020 there were 1,412 work-zone crashes, resulting in 15 fatalities. Additionally, since 1970, 89 PennDOT workers have died in the line of duty, and 45 turnpike workers have died on the job since 1940.

Acting Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula said people need to slow down and never drive distracted.

“Construction season too often means hazards for the men and women who are delivering improved roads and bridges,” said Batula in the release. “Work zones may be a temporary inconvenience, but these workers all deserve to get home safely.”