Our Under Sheriff was hit and killed at night while at a disabled accident scene.
No charges were filed against the person who hit him. We were shocked and outraged.
After that we started looking into the problem of visibility at night. We did some tests and worked with the state DOT as well as federal agencies. We set up mock scenes at night. Fire, EMS, city cops and sheriffs were all working together.
We would send first responders through the scene and ask them what they could or could not see. Even people involved in emergency services, folks who knew to watch and look out, could not see people standing around on the road.
California has done some great studies about night visibility. The use of more orange once stopped seems to be the best compromise according to them.
I didn't know him well, but well enough to know Pat was a good guy.
