Issues
Union Acts to Protect Troopers from Car Fires
Albany — PBA president advises no highway stops except in emergencies
By JAMES M. ODATO, Times Union
June 13, 2003
The union for State Police troopers is advising its members not to stop on highways for non-emergencies — apparently including routine tickets.
In an unprecedented move, the State Troopers PBA President Daniel M. De Federicis is advising members to take steps to minimize the chances of accidents with their Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor vehicles, several of which have had fires after rear-end crashes.
CAS 1995 House Testimony on CAFE
STATEMENT OF CLARENCE M. DITLOW
DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY
Before the
SUBCOMMITTEE on ENERGY AND POWER
HOUSE COMMITTEE on COMMERCE
Washington DC July 24, 1995
Trooper Killed when Trapped in Burning Car after Crash
5/22/03
By LINDA MAN
The Kansas City Star
Missouri State Trooper Killed in Accident on I-70
5/23/03
By LINDA MAN and ERIK PETERSEN
The Kansas City Star
A Missouri Highway Patrol trooper died Thursday when a pickup slammed into his patrol car in a traffic stop on Interstate 70, causing the car to burst into flames.
The trooper, trapped inside, burned to death. In the passenger seat next to him was the driver of the car that he had stopped, and that motorist was critically burned. The driver of the pickup that hit them also was injured.
Trooper Micheal Newton, 25, of Higginsville, Mo., died at the scene.
Trooper Dies in Fiery Crash
By Tammy Jones and Lynde Hedgpeth, staff writers
Asheville Citizen-Times
May 31, 2003
WAYNESVILLE – Sheriff Bobby Medford would have loved to have had Anthony Cogdill back in the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department.
The sheriff saw Cogdill a few months ago, and told him the invitation was open. But Cogdill told him he was building a house in Haywood County, and he loved his job with the State Highway Patrol.
Safety of Officers Comes First
Sheriff declines to keep buying Ford model because of concerns
By ROGER RYDELL DANIELS
Lake City Reporter
Despite safety issues surrounding the Ford's Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, the car remains popular to law enforcement agencies – except the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Frank Owens won't buy one of the nation's most popular police cars until a safety issue, the car's probability of catching fire after wrecks, is resolved.
“I am concerned with the Columbia Sheriff''s Office,” Owens said.
CAS Response to NCSA re: Crown Victoria Fires
May 30, 2003
Joseph S. Carra, Director
National Center for Statistics and Analysis
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 7th Street SW
Washington DC 20590
Dear Mr. Carra:
This responds to your April 24 letter to the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) about fatal crashes that do not show up in FARS and/or FARS data searches. (Attachment A is CAS’ October 1, 2002 letter to you. Attachment B is a copy of your April 24, 2003, response.)
Ford Cruiser Probe Sought
Thursday, May 29, 2003
Senator calls for new investigation into Crown Vic after death
WASHINGTON — The recent death of a Missouri state trooper has prompted a New York senator to call on the federal government to reopen its investigation into Ford Motor Co.'s Crown Victoria, the most popular police car model.
Sen.