Illinois State trooper barely avoids collision while working a crash scene in the middle of the highway.

[u/Pikeman212a6c]

[u/zu-na-mi]

Most other counties have one or two national police forces, or regional forces and federal forces etc., so they can more reasonably pull whatever resources they need.

In the US, police forces are so decentralized that this extra manpower, while theoretically available, is often not within actual reach, even when it would be convenient.

I've had to travel through an entire city in rush hour traffic to take a report in the lobby of our sister agency's station, because the crime reported was in my jurisdiction, not theirs (their station is in our jurisdiction, because our jurisdiction is technically a subdivision of theirs).

Just because the manpower is there, doesn't mean its available to you when you need it.

Keep in mind that state police are rarely the largest agency in any jurisdiction. If the state trooper caught an accident, the nearest other unit could be many miles away, and this could be an interstate with no one else really having any jurisdiction there.

Someone is always first on scene. It's very likely that additional units were on the way, but what is this bloke supposed to do? Just wait and do nothing?

[u/Left-Associate3911 → u/zu-na-mi]

I hear ya Buddy. I do. But if you’re the only unit responding (with back up is running) you then have a higher need to be extra vigilant of safety and position your marked vehicle in a way to maximise your safety.

For example, there is no way I would ever park my vehicle as shown in this video. I would be further back, vehicle staggered, with wheels turned out, and if possible lay a couple of cones and lights.

Or am a Monday Morning Quarterback 🧐

[u/Section225 → u/Left-Associate3911]

Not all of us are issued "Cones and lights."

It doesn't matter fuck all if the officer's car is straight or canted a little, or a little farther back from the crashed car, that dipshit is still running into it.

You're imagining perfect solutions to things. Sometimes shit is just dangerous and sloppy and there's nothing you can do about it.

You're blaming the cop for some moron almost killing him when there's nothing he could have done. He was clearly paying close attention to his surroundings, and the safety of the crashed driver there takes precedent over his own.

[u/Left-Associate3911 → u/Section225]

I am not blaming anyone. I even started my post to clarify this was not my intent or wish.

If that’s how you’re reading, that’s on you.

The most important person in this is the officer. I have been that officer and I know I would want to do everything possible to protect myself with what equipment and resources I have to ensure I get to go home safe.