Crash video.... Opinions?

[NatureBoy86]

Here in FL, It is illegal to turn thru double yellows, the passenger car was at fault. A few months ago a BSO sheriff rookie was on route to another sheriff s aid when he collided into a car with 3 teens driving home from Mcdonalds splitting it in two killing a 15 year old a week before her Bday. He had no sirens or lights activated and was traveling in excess of 75mph. The driver try to make a left hand turn at the intersection when he hit them. He (sheriff) was coming from the opposite direction. The sheriff was cleared and the girl driver was ticketed. He got away with killing her scott free, I hope she haunts him for the rest of his life. So my point is even if this cop was wrong in any way, he wouldnt get blamed

 

[KenK]

I'm fairly confidant that it is legal in Georgia and Florida to make a left turn across double yellow lines. "If it's safe".

I rode in the front of an ambulance once when they were rushing my dad to the hospital. Lights and sirens blazing for a solid hour until we got there. I was appalled at the number of drivers that would not get out of the way.

 

[mom'sfolly]

That cop was driving mighty fast, and didn't have his siren on. It looks like about a thirty mile an hour street. I suspect that the driver of the car never knew the cop was there until he was hit. Also several people have speculated that the driver of the left turning car was on the phone...maybe he was and maybe he wasn't, but in the second video it sure sounds like the officer was on the radio.

The officer driving was clearly over the center line on a clear street several times before he came up on the back of the other car. He only had his siren on part of the time, and he made a bad decision to pass on the left of a car. The officer also didn't seem to slow down at all, or even notice as he blew through two stop signs. I don't the officer was in clear control of his car.

I also think the guy in the blue car may not have had enough reaction time. However, I HATE that people don't get out of the way of an emergency vehicle. I'm just not sure that the guy in the car had enough time to realize the officer was there.

I have seen a lot of cops, and ambulances, almost all of them at least slow down a little before the blow through an intersection. And the guy did have his turn signal on....But the cop had his lights on....seems to me like they both failed to notice things they should have.

 

[NatureBoy86]

KenK
I cant speak for georgia but Im 99.9% positive you cant cross SOLID DOUBLE YELLOW LINES, Now if on your side theres
spaced lines with a solid line on the other side, THEN you can turn left IF safe. But Ive been wrong before but on this one Id have to see some factual state laws to change my perspective.

 

[chickened]

The solid lines are more for passing zones. Side streets turns are supposed to be no lines but turning into a driveway you are crossing the lines and better be watching. I would be curious to see the profile of the guy that got hit.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

The cop still has to abide by the rules of the road. There are no exceptions for him, except he won't be penalized for passing people and a few other things that are overlooked. He should have made sure the person in the car ahead knew he was there. Person should have been looking in his mirror, but that cop came up on him very quickly. If he was getting ready to make the turn anyway, he may not have even though to look in his rearview. With windows up and radio on, it is difficult to hear a siren. Also, I'm amazed at the number of people who don't pay attention when they are driving, especially when I have my blue light on. Then when they see you, you have to be careful they don't freak out. Generally, it is never a good idea to just pass people without making sure they actually see you on both sides of the road.

I think the cop needs to take a few CEVO classes...over, and over, and over again.

 

[OldGuy43]

While I'm not trying to excuse the civilian driver for his failure to yield the right of way the officer was far from blameless both morally and legally. In line with what others have pointed out, I once was told by a fellow who taught pursuit driving to police officers that the hardest thing to get rookie officers to understand was that turning on the lights and siren did not guarantee them that everyone would get out of their way. This officer obviously hadn't learned that.

Now as to legally; While Oregon law does permit emergency vehicles to exceed the speed limit, it also states (in part):

Oregon Statutes - Chapter 820 - Special Provisions for Certain Vehicles - Section 820.320 - Illegal operation of emergency vehicle or ambulance; penalty.

(1) A person commits the offense of illegal operation of an emergency vehicle or ambulance if the person is the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance and the person violates any of the following:

(c) In addition to any required visual signal, the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance must make use of an audible signal meeting the requirements under ORS 820.370 when the driver is proceeding past a stop light or stop sign under privileges granted by ORS 820.300 (1)(b).

(f) In proceeding past any stop light or stop sign under the privileges granted by ORS 820.300, the driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance must slow down as may be necessary for safe operation.

(g) The driver of an emergency vehicle or ambulance must not exceed any designated speed limit to an extent which endangers persons or property.

It is apparent, to me at least that the officer was in clear violation of sections (f) and (g) as well as possibly (c), and yet he was not cited.​

 

[DuckLady]

The officer had his lights on.

If the driver of the other car was paying attention and checking his mirrors while driving and before attempting a turn like he was supposed to per the Oregon drivers handbook that I studied before getting my license there, he would have seen the cop and pulled to the right as he was supposed to.

I lived in Oregon long enough to be disgusted at the lengths people and the media will go to to make sure the cop is the bad guy in any and all situations.

 

[chickened]

I once applied for a police officer position and it was an eye opening experience to what they go through and the perception by some in the public of what they actually are exposed to. I do not know what I was thinking honestly.

They are held to a higher standard and with that they are given leeway to some rules of the road. I assure you this guy will not be charged but will attend more training from the in-house review board... he will not get off easy.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Quote:
If that's the video I saw that it sounds like you are describing, that cop deserves jail time.

I wont post that one here.