I came close to a LEO last night, bright lights

[Foul Mike]

Last night I was coming home and drove up on an accident scene.
LOTS of BRIGHT LIGHTS.!!!!!
It was a minor roll-over in the ditch, the mud caught as a young driver was going home and trying to pull off to let an oncoming vehicle pass.but the mud was wetter than he thought. all are well other than his old farm pickup was on it's side but no injuries other than pride.
I don't know why, but it seems like ever Cop car in the area was there and they all had on ALL of the Bells and Whistles as far as lights goes. 4 to 6 vehicles. WHY?
It looked like a Major Murder scene. I was honestly wondering which one of my neighbors was dead!
Turn on your overheads, flashers, so I know where your car is, but, don't turn on these bright as the Sun LED lights down the lane you are funneling me through or at least focus them on the ground around where you want me to go, but not in my eyes .
To say the least, it was hard to see and we all had raindrops on the windshields that did not help a lot. We are at creeping speed, that is good, but you can't see shit and you know they can't either. That is a light intrusion into being able to see well.
One of the LEOs stepped out right in front of me, not looking too far, as you can't see far with all of that strobing light, and I damn near hit him at less than 5 MPH and as he ran for safer areas, and as I passed I wondered, is there not some way to control all of these lights?
To any of the LEOs and EMTs on board that tell me all of that bright light doesn't bother them, I will raise the BULLSHIT Flag BTDT. It bothers me and I am the Asshole that might run over you.
I would hope they start to pay attention to Light discipline. You can over do things boys and girls FM

 

[diverdon]

More lights make them more important. They are like bikers who feel that a louder bike is more powerful. Neither gonna change on account of the practical issues you or I might raise.

 

[pmclaine]

No Agreed the lights are an ass ache.

There is also theory that they draw people like moths to flame and that is the reason so many cop cars are being whacked roadside - I kind of feel the .12 BAC s the stronger cause for these crashes more so than the lights though.

Some departments are now running lights than "step down" when on a stop hoping that will help.

Lights you need em when you need em but they can also be a distraction.

 

[Frankly]

I got pulled over on a nothing burger the other day. I was photographing and some busybody thought it was suspicious but I was completely legit.

It took eight LEOs to do this. Slow day I guess.

I don't fault people for reporting suspicious activity but it's funny. I'm just not that big and tough that it would take more than 4-5 cops to bring me down.

 

[...]

Cops need directional lights that only strobe forwards when they pull people over at night

I understand the strobe lights are for “officer safety”.....mainly so the suspect can’t see you approach....

But they blind the shit out of every one else on the road too....

Not sure how safe y’all are when you run the risk of me running you over when I couldn’t see you through your seizure lights

 

[QuickNDirty]

I hate that shit. Always worried as hell some officer is gonna trip over his own feet and fall out right infront of my tire and I won't even see it cuz I'm blind AF because of their damn lights.

 

[Flyingbullseye]

If the scene was more towards the country the gathering of extra LEO was probably more due to boredom and just wanted something to do rather than necessity to be there.

As for the lights, its getting excessive. Had a similar experience as you Mike. I drove by a small accident on the way to work one morning and the state police were at the scene. No problem, but one of the dimwits had his spot lights pointed back in the direction of traffic, which it was obvious became a major problem to every driver coming up to the scene. 5 lanes of morning rush hour traffic and the idiot was almost causing another accident. Had anyone tried to tell one of the officers that they'd probably get arrested or at least a huge ticket and or possibly shot being in Detroit.

 

[QuickNDirty]

Question: Hypothetically, if an accident DID happen, like an officer really did trip on his own feet and fall out in front of my vehicle and he managed to get seriously injured or worse, could I sue the department for the emotional damages that would result from that?

 

[diverdon]

Question: Hypothetically, if an accident DID happen, like an officer really did trip on his own feet and fall out in front of my vehicle and he managed to get seriously injured or worse, could I sue the department for the emotional damages that would result from that?

Perhaps your survivors would have a case, if they knew what happened.

 

[QuickNDirty]

Perhaps your survivors would have a case, if they knew what happened.

So I should make an FB account just for the occasion where I have to drive through some shit like that, so I can live-stream it?

Add a button on the dash 'SVOFFFLR' Stream video on facefuck for legal reasons.

 

[j-huskey]

Question: Hypothetically, if an accident DID happen, like an officer really did trip on his own feet and fall out in front of my vehicle and he managed to get seriously injured or worse, could I sue the department for the emotional damages that would result from that?

Yes.

 

[Foul Mike]

If lights make you more important and give you a rush of,"Look at me, I am cool!" then these guys won an award of some sorts.
It was dark and rainy, the accident didn't amount to a hill of shit, yet all were there putting on a light show that they would have charged kids to go to a few years back. "Strobes Aplenty," and white lights as bright as the Sun."
One car would have been more than enough on this rural county gravel road but it was a shit show. 4-6, it was hard to tell when you are blinded by intense light.
I am not saying someone bumble fucked out in front of me or tripped, he just stepped out in front of me as I really don't think he could see all that well either because of all of the lights and I am glad I didn't hit him and yes, I would feel bad had I hit him.
I am saying that with too many of these white bright lights and strobes they are not making the scene safer, quite the opposite.
When there are so many lights and they are so bright that someone passing by can't see, they are putting themselves in more danger than necessary.
As pmclain stated above about the "step down", they needed that or shut a few of them off and just use dimmer lights to show location. or go somewhere else and do something different.
I am all for good lighting and keeping them safe but this went way beyond and was working against safe.
I would like to have lights that bright on my tractor.
It would make working at night much easier.

 

[j-huskey]

FM is correct in so many ways ^^^^^....

But, how do you educate a certain younger generation.
In their case, good judgment on their part will come from the pain of their bad decisions.
FM said he would feel bad about accidentally hitting one, FM is way nicer than me, I would not feel bad at all. Just sayin.

 

[Foul Mike]

I would feel bad. I don't want to hurt or worse anyone.
I would hope they ALL learned something from the mishap and how to prevent things like that in the future.

 

[ArmyJerry]

3 Reasons why,

Hero Complex

Too many cops not enough crime, time for layoffs, same with FD

The donut shops closed at 2100 hrs.

(i am going with 1 and 2)

Here in Houston and I suspect the rest of Texas, if there is a highway stop or a accident on a highway you will literally have 20 frikken tow trucks and 20 cop cars, local and state and county and sheriff and constable for each surrounding podunk town, they will shut down a 10 lane highway with this bullshit for a minor fender bender, its frikken crazy. dont get me wrong, the staties are very helpful in stranding situations, often see them on side of road changing tires for all sorts of people but a minor fender bender calls for more cops than most towns have on their whole force and more trucks you than you will find in a Marine division.

Last night I was coming home and drove up on an accident scene.
LOTS of BRIGHT LIGHTS.!!!!!
It was a minor roll-over in the ditch, the mud caught as a young driver was going home and trying to pull off to let an oncoming vehicle pass.but the mud was wetter than he thought. all are well other than his old farm pickup was on it's side but no injuries other than pride.
I don't know why, but it seems like ever Cop car in the area was there and they all had on ALL of the Bells and Whistles as far as lights goes. 4 to 6 vehicles. WHY?
It looked like a Major Murder scene. I was honestly wondering which one of my neighbors was dead!
Turn on your overheads, flashers, so I know where your car is, but, don't turn on these bright as the Sun LED lights down the lane you are funneling me through or at least focus them on the ground around where you want me to go, but not in my eyes .
To say the least, it was hard to see and we all had raindrops on the windshields that did not help a lot. We are at creeping speed, that is good, but you can't see shit and you know they can't either. That is a light intrusion into being able to see well.
One of the LEOs stepped out right in front of me, not looking too far, as you can't see far with all of that strobing light, and I damn near hit him at less than 5 MPH and as he ran for safer areas, and as I passed I wondered, is there not some way to control all of these lights?
To any of the LEOs and EMTs on board that tell me all of that bright light doesn't bother them, I will raise the BULLSHIT Flag BTDT. It bothers me and I am the Asshole that might run over you.
I would hope they start to pay attention to Light discipline. You can over do things boys and girls FM

 

[oneshot86]

how do you educate them????

you make fun of them, bully as you will, youre senior

 

[04JRB]

all the police in out area seemed to switch over to the LED lights. The new lights are piercingly bright, I never had issues with any lights a night before, but I do now. Maybe Im getting old?

 

[diverdon]

So I should make an FB account just for the occasion where I have to drive through some shit like that, so I can live-stream it?

Add a button on the dash 'SVOFFFLR' Stream video on facefuck for legal reasons.

Or you could do as I do and not proceed until I can see well enough to do so safely.

 

[Maser]

Oh I absolutely HATE them bright ass lights! On warm nights I like to take jogs at like 0300-0400. Almost every single cop that notices me feels the need to shine their spotlight on me and blind me as oncoming traffic is zooming by only a couple feet away from me. Apparently my attire of a muscle shirt, bball shorts, and a water bottle makes me a potential criminal who's robbing liquor stores late at night or something.

 

[Bender]

Oh I absolutely HATE them bright ass lights! On warm nights I like to take jogs at like 0300-0400. Almost every single cop that notices me feels the need to shine their spotlight on me and blind me as oncoming traffic is zooming by only a couple feet away from me. Apparently my attire of a muscle shirt, bball shorts, and a water bottle makes me a potential criminal who's robbing liquor stores late at night or something.

It’s the hair man......

 

[Slash0311]

I have been avoiding and police threads as they always seem to end up cop bashing by some. However, in order to try and shed some light on this thread, I'll offer a LEO side.

As to the number of cars, I've seen accident scenes where several units are needed. Stopping or moving a traffic pattern for wrecker or ambulance. Slow night and they're trying to help collect info. All reasons why several officers are there. Could be unnecessary but it happens.

As for the lights, way too many officers are being hit while on the side of the road. Driver's won't slow down or move over. It's not that difficult for drivers to slow down and pay attention to driving rather than looking at full phones or the accident scene. Very bright lights may be annoying but it beats being hit by a driver who says they didnt see the police car. It sucks for some but it's for the officer's safety.

As for them tripping and falling in front of your car, you can sue for anything. Courts decide if you're right or owed anything. Just like you could be issued a ticket for "speed to fast to avoid collision" (the Indiana ticket anyway) that's way I say, slow down and move over. Accidents can happen but slowing slowing and getting over helps ensure everyone's safety.

 

[...]

As for the lights, way too many officers are being hit while on the side of the road. Driver's won't slow down or move over. It's not that difficult for drivers to slow down and pay attention to driving rather than looking at full phones or the accident scene. Very bright lights may be annoying but it beats being hit by a driver who says they didnt see the police car. It sucks for some but it's for the officer's safety.

ever wonder if those officers were struck because the drivers were fucking blinded by the disco show on the roof of the cruiser?

i get the need for lights, but they dont need to be blinding.

 

[ArmyJerry]

THanks for the insight Slash.

I have been avoiding and police threads as they always seem to end up cop bashing by some. However, in order to try and shed some light on this thread, I'll offer a LEO side.

As to the number of cars, I've seen accident scenes where several units are needed. Stopping or moving a traffic pattern for wrecker or ambulance. Slow night and they're trying to help collect info. All reasons why several officers are there. Could be unnecessary but it happens.

As for the lights, way too many officers are being hit while on the side of the road. Driver's won't slow down or move over. It's not that difficult for drivers to slow down and pay attention to driving rather than looking at full phones or the accident scene. Very bright lights may be annoying but it beats being hit by a driver who says they didnt see the police car. It sucks for some but it's for the officer's safety.

As for them tripping and falling in front of your car, you can sue for anything. Courts decide if you're right or owed anything. Just like you could be issued a ticket for "speed to fast to avoid collision" (the Indiana ticket anyway) that's way I say, slow down and move over. Accidents can happen but slowing slowing and getting over helps ensure everyone's safety.

 

[Maser]

It’s the hair man......

I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure me looking like a douchebag isn't a criminal offense.

 

[Snuby642]

The excesive use of lights is on purpose for officer safety, you have to slow to about 2 mph to get past the crap. They dont give one shit if you hit something as long as it's not them.
If you hit a trafic cone that gives them reason to start fishing in front of a crowd and show off.
Its one big show to see who can be the biggest ass trying to look like something constructive instead of trying to actualy clear trafic.

 

[deersniper]

ever wonder if those officers were struck because the drivers were fucking blinded by the disco show on the roof of the cruiser?

i get the need for lights, but they dont need to be blinding.

Muh officer safety. It's like a dick measuring contest for those guys. Who's got the brightest lights. Nevermind it blinds everyone and the money would be better spent on move over/ slow down campaigns and enforcement.

Like the FD guys. Gotta have the nicest building. Let's build a $10m building in every Podunk town and just raise the property tax more on people who are barely making it.