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New state police tech will alert drivers to nearby emergency vehicles
The new system, Safety Cloud, aims to reduce crashes with emergency vehicles and workers.
On Tuesday, the Massachusetts State Police announced a new technology that alerts motorists that they are approaching emergency vehicles with activated lights and sirens.
The new system, Safety Cloud, has been installed in 233 marked cruisers and delivers real-time information to compatible dashboard systems and GPS apps, according to MSP. Officials said the technology gives drivers more time to slow down and move over and reduces the likelihood of crashes with emergency vehicles or workers.
According to MSP, distracted or impaired motorists pose a significant risk to highway workers, troopers, and first responders. While emergency vehicles’ lights and sirens are meant to catch drivers’ attention, enhanced vehicle soundproofing and increased cell phone use have led to more inattentive drivers.
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Capt. Eric Bernstein said the issue is “deeply personal” to troopers. Last year, MSP reported 42 incidents where a driver struck a stationary cruiser.
“These crashes have devastating life-altering consequences,” Bernstein said in a video shared on X.
The technology rollout was funded by a $135,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which was awarded to State Police in February. Since then, nearly 900,000 motorists have received advance notice of a cruiser’s presence, according to MSP.
“As an innovative Department committed to using technology to mitigate dangerous situations, the Massachusetts State Police believe Safety Cloud will enhance the safety of Troopers, first responders, and the public we serve,” Col. Geoffrey Noble said in a statement. “By providing automatic, advanced notice to drivers approach an emergency scene or a responding vehicle, we hope they can use good judgement and take action to move over, slow down, and pay extra attention to their surroundings.”
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