STATE OF CONNECTICUT Department of Public Safety 1111 Country Club Road Middletown, Connecticut 06457	Contact:  860-685-8230 pio.dps@po.state.ct.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2006

  State Police Introduce New Safety Equipment

Push Bumpers help clear accident scenes, disabled vehicles

The Connecticut State Police today unveiled new safety equipment that will be added to patrol cars as a tool to help Troopers clear highway scenes for safer access for all drivers.

“Push bumpers” will be added to State Police patrol cruisers.  The bumpers will allow Troopers to maneuver their cars to push damaged or broken down cars off the roadways.

“These push bumpers will add another layer of safety not only for our Troopers, but for motorists traveling on Connecticut roads.  They are an efficient tool that will enhance the ability of our Troopers to do their job,” noted Leonard C. Boyle, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

“When motor vehicle incidents block the road, Troopers must act quickly and decisively to ensure that highways remain passable and safe.  With push bumpers installed on their cruisers, Troopers will be able to do that on the hundreds of miles of state roads and interstate highways that they cover 24 hours a day,” Commissioner Boyle said.

The new bumpers will be installed on State Police cruisers that patrol the highest traffic areas – I-84 , I-91 and I-95.  Moving damaged cars off these main arteries and out of the travel lanes is essential to maintaining safety and traffic flow.  This new level of safety will ease commuter troubles by opening up traffic lanes after motor vehicle accidents and breakdowns and preventing further collisions.

During a press conference at Troop H in Hartford today, State Police demonstrated how push bumpers are used to clear highways.   Operated by a Trooper, the cruiser will push a damaged or disabled car to safety and utilize emergency lights to ensure the car is safe while awaiting towing services.

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