Police cars hitting civilians

[frostyfours]

What the hell is going on? Three killed in the space of a week by police cars. Heartbreaking :-(

It's not just heartbreaking, its infuriating and horrifying. Completely unacceptable. I hope those involved are sacked and held accountable.

There is no point in trying to uphold the law if that means killing innocent people in the process.

Targets and too little staff = rushing around and that’s how accidents happen

Perhaps we should wait for the full facts before we start sacking people….

I think it's a terrible tragedy. After a full investigation if the police officer had acted recklessly and outside of their powers, they should be sacked. However if it was a tragic accident through no fault of the officer then they shouldn't be sacked, it's I'm sure an absolutely terrible situation for those officers to be in too. I hope the investigations or punishments can help bring the families some closure.

It's horrible that it's come about at this time of year and so many so close together - people should stop stealing other peoples cars or failing to stop for the police, then this wouldn't happen again.

I have no idea about the facts of any of these particular cases, but I will say as a driver that I often have my heart in my mouth when driving at night due to the sheer number of pedestrians who are out in the dark wearing entirely dark clothing and not carrying anything reflective or any light, in unlit areas, and therefore totally invisible until they are in range of the headlamps. Even at low speed I have had a couple of hair raising moments on country roads. Add in people who’ve had too much to drink and prone to wandering into the road, with poor reflexes, and I can see how accidents could happen with a fast car responding to an emergency call. That’s not to say the drivers aren’t the ones who are ultimately responsible, but some of these incidents at least are bound to be tragic accidents.

DH's brother was killed by a speeding Police car nearly 40 years ago.

There needs to be tighter laws about speeding in built up areas, no matter what they're responding to.

Same speed restrictions for ambulances too of course...

Had my back broken by military personnel vehicle two weeks ago.

Do you think they do it on purpose?!

More often than not, it's not driver error.
The risks that any blue light driver takes when responding are enormous.
Have a bloody heart, there's a response driver out there that has unwittingly killed someone, imagine living with that.

Blue light driving is hard. Let alone the other drivers and pedestrians out there.

Police officers are supposed to stop any chases if there's danger to the public. I wonder if they are?

There have also been police accidents this week that have not ended up in a death, wtf? Lack of driving training? Officers being too aggressive???

Really? 'More often than not, it's not driver error.'

Proof?

Maybe it's just me but when I hear a siren I never cross a road . When one of mine was still in a pushchair the green man was flashing but I heard a siren and my instinct was not to cross , was just as well 'cos the police car went through the red light .

I think you'll find i said 'not driver error'

Posted too soon -

As in, people walk out, cross lights without looking.

Pure driver fault is not always the case.

I never do either, but I've seen idiot pedestrians stroll out into the road when there's an emergency vehicle headed their way. I have no idea what their thought process is.

I would have assumed it would be common sense not to cross the road if you hear a siren, even if you have a green man, as emergency vehicles often go through red lights. Seems some don't realiae or don't think?

@AlphaAlpha - yes, that's what I said... 🙄🙄🙄

where is your proof?

One of them happened near me - I had to pull over for the ambulance. It made my stomach churn when I read the reason - so awful for the poor woman’s family, and the driver must be beside themselves.

I'm sorry to hear this

In our city in Herts the police cars drive like lunatics on certain roads and I am not at all surprised about accidents caused. It's outrageous and I am glad you started a thread OP.

There is simply no need to race down residential roads and worse, race through traffic light crossings. There are certain roads where we are, where I have my window down and always radio off to make sure I hear the sirens.

Something does need to change. I think t's a power trip and abuse of police powers.

One of the roads near me the police cars don't use the (generally completely empty) bus lane and instead drive down the middle forcing loads and loads of cars to move over. There may well be a reason for it that I don't understand but I asked a blue light trained relative and they thought it was baffling too (they know the road and the area well).

You have got to be kidding me? They are "racing" to emergency calls. You know, the ones where people are in danger

That was in reply to @DeleteTinsel

Isn't that what we're all supposed to do wait until the siren has gone by?

Yep. Why are some posters happy to point the finger, without hearing the full facts? Beats me 😏