Nearly 20 New Hampshire police cruisers have been struck by other vehicles since Thanksgiving, prompting law enforcement, fire and emergency officials to warn drivers to slow down, move over and be more careful.
Authorities say the 19 crashes are three times the average for the winter season. On Thursday, a trooper responding to a crash on Interstate 93 in Hooksett suffered minor injuries when another car spun out and crashed into his parked cruiser.
Representatives from state police, the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs and other organizations held a news conference about the problem on Friday.
"This is an unprecedented year for collisions with cruisers," State Police Colonel Robert Quinn said. "In every instance, a trooper was responding to a crash, had activated the cruiser's lights, and was then struck by another vehicle on the road. Some cruisers were even struck multiple times at a single scene. We're asking drivers to pay closer attention at all times and especially when they see first responders."
