After assessing a traffic incident, what is generally the priority for responders at the scene?

The priority for responders at the scene of a traffic incident is to ensure the vehicles are moved safely. This is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, moving vehicles helps to clear the roadway, allowing for a safe passage for additional emergency responders and minimizing the risk of secondary incidents. It also prevents further injury by reducing the chance of collisions with oncoming traffic. Properly managing the scene by moving vehicles safely ensures that responders can work in an environment that is as hazard-free as possible, thus prioritizing the safety of both the injured parties and the responders themselves.

While securing the area, accounting for injured parties, and calling for additional support are all important actions in the incident management process, they come after ensuring the roadway is clear and safe for operation. Ensuring vehicle movement is often one of the first steps in stabilizing an incident scene and setting up for further assessments and actions.