What is the number one safety consideration at roadway incidents?

The primary safety consideration at roadway incidents is the threat of being struck by other traffic. This danger arises from the fact that when emergency responders are on the scene, vehicles continue to travel on the roadway, often at high speeds. The unpredictability of traffic flow, combined with the potential distraction of responders and onlookers, increases the risk of collisions. Responders must maintain situational awareness and implement protective measures such as setting up barriers, using warning lights, and wearing high-visibility clothing to enhance their visibility to oncoming vehicles.

While the other options present valid concerns, they do not represent the most immediate and pressing hazard at roadway incidents. For example, although sparks from fuel leaks can pose a significant risk, that situation is often less urgent than the constant threat posed by moving vehicles. Secondary accidents due to rubbernecking also represent a danger but are results of the primary risk of traffic collision. Electrical hazards in hybrid cars are indeed important to consider, yet they typically represent a more specific risk that is secondary to the overarching danger of other vehicles on the roadway. Focusing on the risk of being struck is pivotal in ensuring the safety of all personnel involved at roadway incidents.