Another traffic fatality to discuss...

tater · 02-12-13, 11:56 AM

http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/...x/-/index.html

Almost 2am, police officer "looking for a drunk driver" that was reported enters intersection with his emergency lights, etc, on even though the light is red for him. He T-bones a car, killing the woman in the passenger seat, and seriously injuring the driver. The passenger had been at a bar, and called her 19 YO sister to pick her up so she'd not drive home possibly drunk.

This is inexcusable. I'm fine with emergency vehicles being able to run lights, but they need to slow/stop, and check before they do so, period. The guy should be charged with negligence, and as much as I hate lawsuits, I think my city should be reamed to the point that employees allowed to run lights are deathly afraid to do so. The ability to ignore lights when absolutely needed comes with the responsibility not to kill innocents.

I see cops and firefighters go through lights all the time during the day, but they always slow and make sure it's OK to do so. This guy probably figured the road was empty at 2am, and didn't bother to check. He should always "bother."

02-12-13, 11:56 AM	#1
tater Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 9,023 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 2	Another traffic fatality to discuss... http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/...x/-/index.html Almost 2am, police officer "looking for a drunk driver" that was reported enters intersection with his emergency lights, etc, on even though the light is red for him. He T-bones a car, killing the woman in the passenger seat, and seriously injuring the driver. The passenger had been at a bar, and called her 19 YO sister to pick her up so she'd not drive home possibly drunk. This is inexcusable. I'm fine with emergency vehicles being able to run lights, but they need to slow/stop, and check before they do so, period. The guy should be charged with negligence, and as much as I hate lawsuits, I think my city should be reamed to the point that employees allowed to run lights are deathly afraid to do so. The ability to ignore lights when absolutely needed comes with the responsibility not to kill innocents. I see cops and firefighters go through lights all the time during the day, but they always slow and make sure it's OK to do so. This guy probably figured the road was empty at 2am, and didn't bother to check. He should always "bother." __________________ "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." — Thomas Paine