| PSA is a joint venture of Delaware City Fire Company and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association |
A national Public Service Announcement (PSA) urging motorists to “slow down and move over” premiered yesterday at the Delaware City (DE) Fire Company.
The PSA is a joint venture between the Delaware City Fire Company and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA) to educate the public about dangers associated with passing responders working on the roadways.
The project was launched at the request of the Delaware City Fire Company following the tragic death of Firefighter/EMT Michelle Smith, who was struck while rendering aid at an accident in December of 2008. The CVVFA produced the PSA under a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) with funding from the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. USFA Acting Deputy Fire Administrator Denis Onieal and Bill Troup from the USFA’s National Fire Programs Division attended the ceremony.
Delaware Senate Bill 205 increases the penalty for a violation of the Move Over Law if a driver violates the statute and strikes a roadway responder. The change places the Delaware law closer to the model Move Over legislation adopted in most other states. Move Over laws require motorists, if possible, to move at least a lane away from firefighters, law enforcement, ambulances, tow trucks, and transportation workers. If that is not possible, drivers must slow down and proceed with caution.