19 NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE TROOPER CRUISERS HIT THUS FAR THIS WINTER, A 300 PERCENT INCREASE; AND WE ARE STILL IN THE HEART OF THE WINTER
The message is clear, if you see an emergency vehicle up ahead slow
down and move over if possible.
CONCORD,
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
An
urgent message was delivered Friday, not only state lawmakers, but also the
N.H. State police.
The
police held a press conference Friday to discuss the high number of state
police cruisers that have been hit by passing motorists.
The
message is clear, if you see an emergency vehicle up ahead slow down and move
over if possible.
"It
only takes a second to change your life or the life of someone else
forever," Trooper Eric Shirley, a 15-year veteran of the State Police,
said.
19
police cruisers have been hit this winter, an increase of 300 percent over
previous years.
State
Police Director Robert Quinn says its simple. People are driving too fast for
the road conditions.
"And
over the years, I can't tell you how many times I've been missed by a car by
less than a foot," says Trooper Shirley. "Last summer I had to jump
over the hood of my car while someone was distracted and almost hit my
car."
Shirley
has been hit while in his cruiser three times in the last three years.
"Those are the two biggest things that you can do to get there
safely," Shirley says. "Slow down, especially in winter weather and
move over. It only takes a second to change your life or the life of someone
else forever."
But,
it's not just police cruisers. Quinn says during the Thanksgiving storm, in one
day, 521 cars were involved in accidents or went off the road.
"Obey
the law," says State senator Lou D'Allesandro. "That's all. Obey the
law."
That
means obey New Hampshire's Move Over Law.
That
law means when there's emergency activity on the side of the road, you're
required to more over and give troopers the space they need to do their job.
"If
you see any blue lights, red lights, amber lights first responders, that if
possible you should give a wide berth moving over reducing your speed,"
State Police Lt. Matt Shapiro said.
"Protect
those who protect you. Before one of us, one of them, is seriously
injured," Quinn said.
Officials
focused on reminding the public it could just take one wrong move and a trooper
and his family's lives could be changed forever.
"I've
been married for 23 years," Shirley said. "I have two kids that are
teenagers. I would just like everyone else to see them grow up."
Troopers
are also concerned that if there's one crash, there could always be a second
one if drivers either don't see it if they're distracted or too busy looking at
the first crash as they drive by.
Plus,
officials were quick to point out drivers could be fined for not obeying the
law.