Dover Fire Chief urges motorists to abide by state’s “Move Over” law after vehicle collides with ladder truck at crash site

posted on: 11/16/2020

Fire and Rescue Chief Paul Haas reminds motorists it is the law and common courtesy to "Move Over" for highway emergency vehicles after an early morning multi-vehicle crash on Saturday, Nov. 14 on the Spaulding Turnpike that included a responding City of Dover fire truck.

According to New Hampshire State Police, a motorist driving southbound in a 2004 Subaru Impreza lost control of the vehicle just south of Exit 7 and collided with the guardrail shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 14. A Good Samaritan driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado stopped to assist the Subaru driver; soon after, however, an approaching motorist driving a 2008 Cadillac SRX lost control and struck the Good Samaritan, resulting in serious injuries to the Good Samaritan's legs, NHSP reported. Dover Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the scene to assist the injured.

As is Fire and Rescue protocol for responding to highway crashes, a fire engine was dispatched along with ambulances. The fire engine is positioned and used as a protective shield for the injured and public safety personnel from oncoming drivers. The reason why this is standard protocol was illustrated at the crash scene when an approaching motorist driving a 24-foot box truck lost control of the vehicle and struck Ladder Truck 3 from behind, causing significant damage to both vehicles. Fortunately, there were no injuries. While all aspects of the crashes remain under investigation by NHSP, road and weather conditions, including possibly black ice, appear to be contributing factors.

"It is unfortunate that one of the roles of our emergency vehicles on the highway is to provide an area of safety from oncoming traffic, but it is a reality," Haas said in a statement. "Our members wear high visibility vests over their protective gear, the entire rear section of all our vehicles are covered in reflective markings, and there is no mistaking our emergency lights from a significant distance away. Yet somehow, every day across the country, drivers still manage to crash into fire trucks, police cars and other emergency vehicles, sometimes with deadly results."

Haas reminds motorists of New Hampshire's "Move Over Law." It calls for drivers approaching emergencies on the highway to reduce speed and "vacate any lane that is wholly or partially blocked as soon as possible." It also makes clear to give emergency vehicles "a wide berth […] to public safety personnel, any persons in the roadway, and vehicles displaying blue, red, or amber emergency or warning lights."

"Although our vehicle was struck, we would clarify this incident as a 'near miss,' because the potential for injury or loss of life that could have occurred had the ladder truck not been blocking as it was," Haas said. "We will review this incident internally as a reminder of the hazards that we face every day when operating at traffic accidents. We ask that the driving public also take note, and to reduce speed and provide extra distance to ensure no additional injuries occur to our public safety personnel."

Haas added it’s also important that motorists be mindful of road conditions at all times.

City Manager J. Michael Joyal reported to the City Council early Monday morning that Ladder Truck 3 will be transported to the dealer/manufacturer for repairs and have the truck returned to service as soon as possible. Insurance is expected to cover the cost of the repairs.