Minnesota: Ask a Trooper: How many patrol cars have been hit while at the scene of an accident?
Ask a Trooper: How many patrol cars have been hit while at the scene of an accident?
Alexandria Minnesota 225 7th Ave E
P.O. Box 549 56308
Question: How many of your patrol cars have been struck while at a crash scene?
Answer: Winter driving can be and is dangerous for all of us when the weather and road conditions become poor.
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The majority of the parked squads that are struck are in the winter season.
I can speak from personal experience having been struck parked at a crash scene, while inside my squad car in December of 2013 and numerous other close calls from the past 17 years.
Following is crash data that involves Minnesota State Patrol squad cars that were struck while parked:
2008: 22; 10 troopers injured.
2009: 28; 10 troopers injured.
2010: 27; five troopers injured.
2011: 26; nine troopers injured.
2012: 17; four troopers injured.
2013: 19; three troopers injured.
2014: 25; four troopers injured.
2015 (through July): six; two troopers injured.
Most of these types of incidents can be avoided by using safe winter driving techniques, moving over to the other vacant lane when you are on a two-lane same direction roadway, or slowing down and providing room when you see any type of flashing lights.
The law requires motorists to move over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks.
Law enforcement is looking for motorists that fail to move over and will enforce the “Move Over Law.”
Following is Minnesota State Patrol data on Move Over Law enforcement:
2008: 419 citations, 1,327 warnings.
2009: 622 citations, 2,342 warnings.
2010: 618 citations, 2,466 warnings.
2011: 975 citations, 2,898 warnings.
2012: 703 citations, 2,667 warnings.
2013: 713 citations, 2,209 warnings.
2014: 816 citations, 2,476 warnings.
2015 (through July): 350 citations, 1,070 warnings.
Please slow down, pay attention, drive sober and move over when you see flashing lights, and use good safe judgment when traveling.
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