From grief to action: PSA from victim's sister shines light on National Crash Responder Safety Week
National numbers show nearly every week a traffic incident responder is hit and killed while doing their job.
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Ahead of one of the busiest travel times of the year, drivers across the county are being reminded to slow down and move over as part of National Crash Responder Safety Week.
National numbers show nearly every week a traffic incident responder is hit and killed while doing their job, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. It’s someone one Fairfield family knows the pain of first-hand.
Corey Iodice was a third-generation tower, working for his family’s company out of Fairfield, Iodice Family Transport, when he was killed on the job. It happened April 22, 2020, while Corey Iodice was in the breakdown lane on the Merritt Parkway in Trumbull. He was loading a broken-down car onto his truck when a speeding driver slammed into him.
“I felt like we needed to do something—somebody needed to do something to educate people that the Move Over law exists and the importance of doing it and why we need to slow down and move over,” said sister Cindy Iodice.
So, Cindy Iodice, who now lives in Hawaii, turned her grief into action. Three years ago, she founded the national nonprofit Flagman Inc. with a mission of educating the public on Slow Down, Move Over laws and the dangers emergency responders and workers face along the roads.
Flagman just released a PSA in conjunction with National Crash Responder Safety Week. The video was shot in Fairfield in partnership with local first responders and Iodice Family Transport. It features an animated Flagman mascot who jumps off an orange work zone sign to highlight the group’s message.
“Heroes spring into action to save lives every day, but too many roadside workers never make it home every day because of distracted drivers,” the PSA begins.
Connecticut has one of the strongest Slow Down, Move Over laws in the country. It's for all stationary vehicles along the road, not just emergency responders. The law requires drivers to slow down and when safe and possible, move over one lane. Violations can result in significant fines, with increased penalties if an injury or death occurs. The law took effect in 2009. The problem is too many people don't follow it.
On Sunday, a speeding SUV hit a tow truck that was on the scene of a crash on I-95 in Westport, according to the local fire department. Both vehicles suffered significant damage, but luckily no one was seriously hurt, officials said.
Last year, three firefighters were hospitalized after a tractor trailer crashed into their fire engine on the side of I-95 in Greenwich. The crews were on the scene of an earlier accident when it happened.
“How do we get people to act before this tragedy happens to them and their family?” Cindy Iodice asked, admitting that despite growing up in the towing business, she didn’t understand the danger until losing her brother.
For Cindy Iodice, the answer is continued outreach—especially with children. Flagman's grassroots campaign has reached more than 25,000 students in Connecticut and Hawaii and there are plans to launch educational campaigns in other states soon. Flagman goes into schools and connects kids with first responders and roadside workers who know the risks first-hand. Cindy Iodice will be bringing the program to some elementary schools in Fairfield and Seymour next month.
“I hope Flagman inspires people to get behind the movement,” Cindy Iodice told News 12. “I think we just have to work together until slowing down and moving over becomes the norm.”
To learn more about Flagman Inc., click here.
