Public Safety · Mariposa County
Crash Responder Safety Week Nov. 2-6 Reminds Drivers on Hwy 41, 49
Caltrans, CHP and CAL FIRE are observing Crash Responder Safety Week November 2–6, urging drivers on Highway 41, Highway 49 and smaller mountain-area roads to slow down and give space to roadside workers. California's expanded Slow Down, Move Over law (AB 390), effective January 1, 2026, extends protections beyond emergency vehicles to highway maintenance vehicles and stationary vehicles displaying hazard lights or warning devices such as cones and road flares. On two-lane mountain roads where moving over is not possible, drivers must reduce speed and proceed cautiously. Officials emphasized that crash responders—including firefighters, tow operators and transportation crews—face significant risk working near active traffic.