Ask a state Trooper

[Lee Borgersen]

Ask a Trooper: How many patrol cars have been struck at a crash scene?

Nov 30, 2015 

Q: How many of your patrol cars have been struck while at a crash scene?

A: Winter driving can be and is dangerous for all of us when the weather and road conditions become poor. The majority of the parked squads that are struck are in winter.

My patrol car has been struck twice in my career. Both of the events happened while I was out at a crash where the roads were covered with ice and snow. Fortunately for me and the others involved, no one was injured, but that has not always been the case for other troopers and motorists.

Here is the crash data from the past eight years that involved Minnesota State Patrol squad cars that were struck.

Minnesota State Patrol cars struck:

2008 – 22 squads struck while parked; 10 troopers injured
2009 – 28 squads struck while parked; 10 troopers injured
2010 – 27 squads struck while parked; five troopers injured
2011 – 26 squads struck while parked; nine troopers injured
2012 – 17 squads struck while parked; four troopers injured
2013 – 19 squads struck while parked; three troopers injured
2014 – 25 squads struck while parked; four troopers injured
2015 – six squads struck while parked; two troopers injured (Jan. 1-July 1)
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.”

Move over citations/ warnings (Minnesota State Patrol only)

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 – 350 citations, 1,070 warnings (Jan. 1-July 1)
Please slow down, pay attention, drive sober, move over when you see flashing lights and use good, safe judgment when traveling.

Sgt. Neil Dickenson is a public information officer with the Minnesota State Patrol.