Whenever police officers arrive at the scene of an automobile accident on busy highways and roadways, there are multiple factors to quickly assess, not the least of which are their own safety and that of other first responders arriving. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, there were 34 traffic-related fatalities of law enforcement professionals in 2025.

“They are called to provide assistance just feet away from vehicles traveling at high speeds, often in severe conditions, low visibility or other unpredictable circumstances,” said Wayne Drummond, Cleveland’s director of public safety, per WKYC.

To create a safer environment on the road for public safety personnel, the City of Cleveland has acquired a highway crash attenuator vehicle, the first by a municipality in the state. An attenuator is designed to absorb the impact of a vehicle crashing into it and is commonly seen attached to the ends of guardrails, for example. In this case, it is mounted to a blocker truck to create a barrier between traffic and first responders at an accident scene.

The truck is also equipped with an elevated, illuminated directional arrow to route drivers away from the crash site. A digital screen alerts them to the temporary speed limit and their current speed.

“This equipment gives our first responders another critical layer of protection while they carry out their duties. It’s an investment in their safety, their families and the communities they serve,” Drummond said.