I was wondering how they decided this was intentional.
Troopers Probe ‘Moth’ Effect in Crashes
January 8, 2011 by admin
Massachusetts State Police are investigating whether new brighter emergency lights on cruisers are to blame for a recent spike in the number of troopers being struck by other vehicles.
Seven state troopers were hit while standing outside their cruisers last year, including Sgt. Doug Weddleton, who was killed in June by an allegedly drunken driver.
Spokesman David Procopio said that the department is investigating whether the “moth effect” is to blame. That’s the theory that drivers, particularly those who have been drinking, are drawn to brighter lights like moths.
He says the agency is looking into different cruiser marking and different flash patterns to see if that makes a difference. He says the study is several months from completion.
http://policedriving.com/troopers-probe-moth-effect-in-crashes/
Almond Upton, 60, told police he intentionally hit the trooper.
The newer light bars atop police cruisers have a very intense blue with a strobing effect, often combined with actual strobes in white light. No doubt this is intended to increase visibility and safety, however it can be dazzling to the point of disorientation, particularly at night. Older people and people with borderline vision could very well be partially blinded. If rapidly flashing, brightly colored cartoons can set off seizures, I would wonder if those lights could so so as well.
"Moth Effect"? More likely the driver was blinded by the newer, brighter LED lights on the trooper's car, and night vision was temporarily disrupted. I can see these new lights from miles away, compared to the older strobes. They are retina burners up close at night.