Perfect Solution For Solving The "Getting Rear-Ended" Problem?

[NorCalN00b]

http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/contractor_images/3m/3_3m.jpg

Do you think this will help reduce the number of people rear-ending a patrol car on the freeway?

[makakona]

nope, it'll make it worse. like a moth to the flame... stupid drunks.

[Delrin]

They are out there!!

http://webpages.charter.net/swchavez/speed.jpg

[Ratty]

Thats UK spec .. and it works pretty well

[ResQ]

http://www.carbibles.com/nannycars.html

[AyatollahGondola]

The best defense against being rear ended is keeping watch on your surroundings. I have avoided what would likely have been two high impact rear end collisions simply by moving out of the way. Like it or not, driving is a consuming job, and the more you absorb yourself into it the better your chances are of avoiding tragedy.

[Sampa]

The best article in a long time, my favorite...bl Ondstar is the best, but the spike I personally think would work very well.:evil:

[CHPWife]

Looks like a big, bright magnet to me. But, in the UK they don't have the drunk driving problem we do.

[iSeeHP]

Are drunks attracted to the bright lights? Or do they just happen to rear end a patrol car every time? :think:

[makakona]

i always think back to when i played soccer... i was a goalie and the point behind the bright jerseys was to distract those who were trying to shoot on me.

here's a good example of how a drunk can be distracted by nothing more than tail lights...
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/teambearbhan/smldui1.jpg

[10-7]

Are drunks attracted to the bright lights? Or do they just happen to rear end a patrol car every time? :think:

IMHO....

In the "old days", where a slick-top only had a red & yellow light in the rear deck, and the overheads has a flashing yellow light, I could see where a patrol vehicle on the side of the freeway would attract a duece (not from personal knowledge or anything like that :rolleyes:), BUT with the newer light-bars, eg. LEDS, directional sticks, multiple "other" lights (flashing lights in the brake light assemblies, etc.), I have to wonder if having steady burning taillights vs. the "Christmas tree" effect is still better (I'm sure we tested-to-death the older lights and came up with our policy, but wonder if any tests have been done with the current lighting available.)

Personally, I've never been rear-ended on thousands of freeway stops, and most of the time (gonna throw myself down here) left my overheads on :shock: in some fashion or another. Now that's just my experience and I'm sure a few pv's have been hit with the overheads still left on.

One has to wonder, tho, while driving down the freeway, if an officer has just the taillights burning while on a stop, an approaching motorist may / would / could confuse those steady burning taillights, even while stopped, with all of the other steady burning taillights while those vehicles ahead of him / her are traveling down the freeway @ freeway speeds. I would think red / yellow / blue lights would be a contrasting element that most would recognize, and may avoid driving down the shoulder and directly into the rear of the pv. Some leave the 4-way hazard lights on, but I still don't think they have enough contrast to the rest of the vehicles.

[playin in traffic]

The moth to the flame is the most accurate description in my opinion. Emergency lights are on vehicles to attract the attention of motorists- usually for the purpose of "get out of my way." However, even with the overheads off except for spotlights, peoples attention will be drawn towards those lights and the result, unfortunately, can be as posted by makakona.

If there were a perfect solution to the problem, I am certain many agencies, ours included, would implement it in a hurry. I would hope so anyway.

[iSeeHP]

Thanks for the input :smile:

[SB 405]

Are the Highway Patrol decals on the trunk lid done in a reflective material?

[CHPUSMC]

Are the Highway Patrol decals on the trunk lid done in a reflective material?

Yes.

[bcjack]

http://www.respondersafety.com/Gallery.aspx

[10-7]

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/teambearbhan/smldui1.jpg


Someone going a little gonzo with the paint????

[720]

the "moth to a flame" discussion was an eye opener. what do you think would be the safest thing for an ordinary person to do if his car were to break down on the freeway at night and he had to pull over to the shoulder? turn on emergency flashers, parking lights only, turn all lights off?

thanks in advance for any advise.

[11-85 10-97]

just using the directional arrowstick and hazards will help, the strobes are too bright i never use my strobes on my tow truck unless im first on the seen of a bad wreck and the cars blocking the #1 lane for example.

[dw]

the "moth to a flame" discussion was an eye opener. what do you think would be the safest thing for an ordinary person to do if his car were to break down on the freeway at night and he had to pull over to the shoulder? turn on emergency flashers, parking lights only, turn all lights off?

thanks in advance for any advise.Unfortunately, I don't think there is a simple answer. It's a crap-shoot. I've done some reading on the studies about the "Moth Effect" and a lot of it is inconclusive. Personally, I'm not sure we have enough to prove it exists, but I'm a skeptic.

[SweepTheLeg]

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a simple answer. It's a crap-shoot. I've done some reading on the studies about the "Moth Effect" and a lot of it is inconclusive. Personally, I'm not sure we have enough to prove it exists, but I'm a skeptic.

Speaking of the moth effect.

One my instructors who was former MD Trooper claimed the best thing for working the road at night was minimal rear facing lights.

He recommended, cruise lights and amber directional moving right to left. That being said, he also mentioned to "dominate" the car in front of the cruiser w/ light.

Hopefully the drunk will not notice you until they pass or atleast they move over.

[TX-DPS]

You guys are going to laugh when you hear this, but when I stop a violator and I am in the car, I turn my radar up as loud as it will go, stationary rear antenna, and when that pitch goes into "shoot myself I can't stand it anymore more" mode I start grabbing the gear shift lever.

One other thing that will help get out of the way sooner, keep her neutral, when sitting stationary so you don't have to deal with the brake/gear shift lever release.

[15KJ397A]

Can one of you fancy admins' start a thread. I would but I don't know how to 'get er done.' Parking lights, hazards or any lightbar configuation.