What should be prioritized when responding to an emergency on a highway?

When responding to an emergency on a highway, controlling traffic is paramount for several reasons. Highways typically have high-speed vehicles, and an uncontrolled traffic situation can lead to further accidents, endangering both victims of the initial incident and responding personnel. By establishing a safe perimeter and directing traffic, emergency responders can prevent additional collisions and ensure a safer environment for everyone involved.

This control can involve setting up flares, cones, or even diverting traffic away from the scene, which helps protect both the victims and the responders as they attend to the situation. Ensuring the safety of the scene allows for other critical actions—such as attending to victims or accessing medical resources—to take place without the added risk posed by oncoming traffic. Therefore, prioritizing traffic control is essential for overall safety in any highway emergency response.