If you happen to find yourself behind a Lake St. Louis fire truck, you’ll see a warning that says: “Keep back 343 feet.” That number is a memorial to the 343 firefighters who died in the line of duty when the World Trade Center towers collapsed on 9/11. It’s a humbling memorial and a reminder of the dangers facing all first responders as they serve their communities. Traditionally, fire trucks have displayed the message “Keep back 500 feet” to warn motorists to maintain a safe distance due to the heavy vehicle’s stopping distance. In addition, some firefighters ride on the back of trucks, and staying back 500 feet would give drivers plenty of time to stop should a firefighter happen to fall off the truck. Some states require a shorter distance, so you may even see trucks that say to stay back 300 or even 200 feet. Needless to say, this is a suggestion, not a law.
