Question for LEOs

[talltex]

...I didn't say anything remotely like this: "

As for Speed's example of some sociopath who INTENTIONALLY steers into someone...that's either murder or attempted murder..."

...and I don't see how anyone who READ what I DID say can legitimately derive that from what I said....

Sorry Speed...I just totally misunderstood what you were saying: " passing motorists who looked and steered into them...stone sober even..." thought you were saying someone looked at them...and saw them... and steered into them...on purpose...like "watch me make'em jump"...I see now you were saying they were just careless....although if someone is THAT careless ( they see them, are aware of them and still run into them, unimpaired by alcohol or drugs) I'm not sure any law could prevent it.

[Reserve161]

I think the "steering into someone" is less an intentional act and more a result of
focusing on the vehicle(s) on the side of the street.
You tend to steer in the direction you look... and distracted drivers abound these
days.

I am affiliated with my local FD and they have changed their SOPs to actually
dispatch a second fire engine to block an accident scene when it is on the highway.
As dangerous as a fire is, the highway and human unpredictability makes an accident
scene that much more dangerous.

[WildBill]

I think the "steering into someone" is less an intentional act and more a result of focusing on the vehicle(s) on the side of the street.
You tend to steer in the direction you look... and distracted drivers abound these
days.

Following someone[s] tail lights are what we do 99% of the time.

[speedsix]

...I've been run over by a distracted driver...and, much as you want to , you can't punch 'em out for bein' stupid...I can't imagine why folks have trouble concentrating these days, with all the peace and tranquility on every corner...not...

[talltex]

...I've been run over by a distracted driver...and, much as you want to , you can't punch 'em out for bein' stupid...I can't imagine why folks have trouble concentrating these days, with all the peace and tranquility on every corner...not...

I hear what your saying...and thinking about it, I realize there's a whole lotta' difference between living in a town of 3500 and a metro area. In the last 40+ years, there's been one incident in the county where a person ran into a vehicle on the side of the road...about 25 years ago...a guy I knew since high school was securing a tarp on the load in the bed of his pickup at night and got ran into by a drunk...lost one leg mid thigh. It's just a different world out here compared to the cities. I used to go to DFW on business every couple of weeks and hated driving up there...people running 70-80mph, 4 lanes wide, and no more than a carlength between them to keep someone from cutting in...and that was before constant use of cell phone/texting, DVD players in the cars, NAV units, etc... Like the John Denver song said..."Thank God I'm a country boy!"

[C-dub]

I think my reasoning for questioning the addition of tow truck drivers is me getting just a little more tired of being remInded that I am not in a protected class. It irks me that some think my life is worth less than someone else's or that a crime committed against me is any less heinous because of my race, age, religion, sexual preference, or occupation.

I'm a law abiding citizen and I do appreciate what the police, firemen, and EMT's do. It hurts me when one is lost in the line of duty. I once gave Uncle Sam that blank check and, fortunately, it wasnt cashed, but knew others' whose checks were, so I do understand and respect the oath of service. I do wonder, though, how many people go into these careers that do not have any idea of the hazards they will face. When I was in the Navy I always wondered about those that enlisted that had authority issues. They had nothing but trouble and they wondered why.

Sorry for my rant. I'm exhausted now.

[WildBill]

On the way home I saw another police car with it's rear in the right lane of traffic. Ever since this thread I have seen it almost every day.

It wasn't until I came over a slight rise in the road that I could see the police car parked with the rear half way into the right lane. It was still daylight and light traffic and I was in the center lane so it wasn't a big deal.

[speedsix]

...I've been run over by a distracted driver...and, much as you want to , you can't punch 'em out for bein' stupid...I can't imagine why folks have trouble concentrating these days, with all the peace and tranquility on every corner...not...

I hear what your saying...and thinking about it, I realize there's a whole lotta' difference between living in a town of 3500 and a metro area. In the last 40+ years, there's been one incident in the county where a person ran into a vehicle on the side of the road...about 25 years ago...a guy I knew since high school was securing a tarp on the load in the bed of his pickup at night and got ran into by a drunk...lost one leg mid thigh. It's just a different world out here compared to the cities. I used to go to DFW on business every couple of weeks and hated driving up there...people running 70-80mph, 4 lanes wide, and no more than a carlength between them to keep someone from cutting in...and that was before constant use of cell phone/texting, DVD players in the cars, NAV units, etc... Like the John Denver song said..."Thank God I'm a country boy!"

...I totally agree that the makeup/values/lifestyle of country people is usually more caring and concerned for others than city folks IN MY EXPERIENCE...I'd rather live in the country...having lived in several cities and small country towns...give me the country folks anytime...the pressure is more in the city and does make a difference...not intended as an insult to anyone...but it's real...

[tomtexan]

This isn't a stupid law, but where does it stop? I hadn't realized that tow truck drivers were now included. They are not emergency workers or first responders. How many regular folks being hit or killed will it take before the law is expanded to any vehicle on the side of the road?

Tow truck operators are working right alongside emergency workers everyday clearing accident scenes. They are emergency workers. They are doing just as much of a duty to help with the rescue and cleanup as the fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel. In the small rural area I reside in, it is not uncommon for tow trucks to "first respond" with EMS and fire units.

There are probably just as many, if not more tow truck operators killed each year on the side of the road doing their job as police, fire and EMS people. The next time you see one helping a stranded motorist on the side of the road, go ahead and extend the courtesy of moving over or slowing down. It's the law. There is no one to write the citation or watch his or her back.

[sjfcontrol]

This isn't a stupid law, but where does it stop? I hadn't realized that tow truck drivers were now included. They are not emergency workers or first responders. How many regular folks being hit or killed will it take before the law is expanded to any vehicle on the side of the road?

Tow truck operators are working right alongside emergency workers everyday clearing accident scenes. They are emergency workers. They are doing just as much of a duty to help with the rescue and cleanup as the fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel. In the small rural area I reside in, it is not uncommon for tow trucks to "first respond" with EMS and fire units.

There are probably just as many, if not more tow truck operators killed each year on the side of the road doing their job as police, fire and EMS people. The next time you see one helping a stranded motorist on the side of the road, go ahead and extend the courtesy of moving over or slowing down. It's the law. There is no one to write the citation or watch his or her back.

Why not pull over for any disabled vehicle where a person is present outside of the vehicle?

[tomtexan]

Why not pull over for any disabled vehicle where a person is present outside of the vehicle?

I do, but most people won't.

[speedsix]

...excellent...common courtesy and good sense...in such short supply these days that a law had to be passed...to protect those who have to make a living taking those risks...I'd be for amending it...making it cover any roadside breakdown/hazard...citizens have been killed changing flats and helping...sad but things we used to take for granted now have to be legislated and a penalty attached...

[tomtexan]

...excellent...common courtesy and good sense...in such short supply these days that a law had to be passed...to protect those who have to make a living taking those risks...I'd be for amending it...making it cover any roadside breakdown/hazard...citizens have been killed changing flats and helping...sad but things we used to take for granted now have to be legislated and a penalty attached...

[C-dub]

This isn't a stupid law, but where does it stop? I hadn't realized that tow truck drivers were now included. They are not emergency workers or first responders. How many regular folks being hit or killed will it take before the law is expanded to any vehicle on the side of the road?

Tow truck operators are working right alongside emergency workers everyday clearing accident scenes. They are emergency workers. They are doing just as much of a duty to help with the rescue and cleanup as the fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel. In the small rural area I reside in, it is not uncommon for tow trucks to "first respond" with EMS and fire units.

There are probably just as many, if not more tow truck operators killed each year on the side of the road doing their job as police, fire and EMS people. The next time you see one helping a stranded motorist on the side of the road, go ahead and extend the courtesy of moving over or slowing down. It's the law. There is no one to write the citation or watch his or her back.

Why not pull over for any disabled vehicle where a person is present outside of the vehicle?

This is my point. I do move over, even when not required by law. Sometimes I am not able to move over and when I slow down I nearly get run over myself from others not paying attention. No one looks out for me and no one gets fined for not moving over or slowing down for me if I am broke down or changing my tire on the side of the road.

[alvins]

tow truck drivers should get some courtesy on the road?yea right. they all drive like maniacs and practically cause more trouble getting there then what already happened. Even the police dont drive that aggressivly. I give them no respect what so ever and will never move out of their way for any reason.

and those superbright strobes and such on cop cars really help people to see better at night too.