Law Enforcement Specialties >> Special Units (K9, SWAT, etc.) >> Traffic Unit Vehicles
Traffic Unit Vehicles
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Posted 4 months ago I am a member of my departments traffic / DUI unit and I was wondering if anyone had any info or studies on Light Bars VS slick top vehicles. |
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| Posted 4 months ago In PA although a car may be fully marked with insignia, and refelctive material, if its a slick top its considered an unmarked. I have personally seen that the mere fact that there is not a light bar on top has created some great traffic stops. people look for that light bar. people have done completely stupid things directly infront of slick tops here and theyre great for finding drunks. |
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| Posted 4 months ago Our admin has stated they have seen research that has stated departments are going away from slick top vehicles due to liability. I find that hard to believe with all the new techonology. I am just looking for some in-put from other departments in other parts of the country. I know of other traffic units that swear by slick tops and I would like to put some research behind that. |
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| Posted 4 months ago With LEDs now, there shouldn't be an issue. Colorado State Patrol for instance is increasing their slicktop population, thos new visor bars give just as much warning to the front as a bar on the roof would, other than adding corner strobes for better intersection/angle warning power.
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| Posted 4 months ago I was told by an instructor at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy that all Maine State Police cars are now going to be slicktop. Their reasoning is that they've found that slicktops are actually safer than cars with full light bars...apparently officers drive more carefully, and with new LED technology, slicktops are just as visible. It's also been suggested that when it comes to light, less is better. Many visual studies indicate that people are very distracted by a lot of light It's been theoriezed that you're more likely to cause an accident if you're car is lit up like a christmas tree. So slicktops may be safer in that way too. I dont' necessarily agree that less is better, but it may be true... Overall, I think slicktops are an excellent idea and they seem to be the wave of the future. |
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| Posted 3 months ago sttemple said: True, I know that I slow down when I'm in an unmarked or slicktop versus when I'm in my usual marked unit. |
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| Posted 2 months ago I'm on our Traffic Unit and we have both marked slicktops and unmarked, as well as a unmarked Tahoe and Dakota. You can do a search on NHTSA website, they had a couple links there. I can tell you from my personal experience that a unmarked car is the way to go, especially if you looking for aggressive driving. I have cars fly by me all 15-20 over a few times a day. When i had the marked slicktop, they would torpedo the brake before passing me. I will tell you it gets a little scary trying to clear an intersection in a slicktop. I don't car eif you got all the latest and greatest LED's...there are too many SUV's and mini vans that block the view of interior lights. I have a PDF file for a study done in North Caroina, but not sure how to get that to you. Guess you can email me and I'll send it as an attachment. |
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| Posted 2 months ago No unmarked or slick top cars allowed in Ohio... Cars must have a small revolving light on the roof, and must have minimal markings as well. |
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| Posted 2 months ago In NM we currently still have all 3 (light bars, slick tops and led bars). |