Politics & Government

Local Senator Proposes New Police Siren Law

Sen. Toddy Puller will introduce a bill governing the use of police sirens.

This January, Virginia lawmakers will consider a bill governing the use of police sirens.

Senator Linda "Toddy" Puller (D-36) will introduce a bill requiring police vehicles to stop at intersections and stop signs unless their sirens are on. This bill is a response to a 2008 accident at the intersection of Route 1 and Boswell Avenue, when a police cruiser ran a red light and crashed into a car driven by Ashley McIntosh, 33. McIntosh, a Mount Vernon resident, died at the scene. The officer driving the cruiser did not have her sirens on.

According to a recent WTOP article, the officer driving the car was acquitted of a reckless driving charge and has since left the police force.

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"We pay attention to sirens," said Puller. "If the officer's siren had been on, I think Ashley would have stopped."

The bill has been met with support from the Virginia Crime Commission, who unanimously endorsed the bill.ο»ΏΒ 

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