Watch: Here's Why You Need to Slow Down and Move Over

When you think about driving in severe weather, you probably think about how dangerous it could be for you. You may also wonder how dangerous is is for Minnesota State Troopers and first responders.

The Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) has to be out there no matter what, making sure others are safe. And that comes with its own risks.

When a state trooper is parked by the side of the road during a snowstorm or other adverse weather conditions, helping change a tire or assisting a vehicle that has spun into a ditch, other vehicles on the road can lose control on the ice or lose their way in the whiteout.

The result? Since 2008, 190 squad cars have been struck while parked by the side of the road—three of them in 2017 so far. A total of 53 troopers have been injured this way since 2008, according to MSP.

In these crashes, the most common injury troopers sustain is a concussion, according to MSP officials. And because concussions require so much rest to heal, several troopers have required medical leave or light duty status. One trooper had a concussion so severe he was unable to continue working for MSP.

• Video Shows Cop Nearly Hit After Her Squad Car is Rear-Ended on I-94

The video below gives you an idea of just how jarring it is when a trooper’s squad car is hit by an out-of-control vehicle in poor winter weather conditions. It shows dashcam footage from three different crashes in which MSP cars are struck when parked by the side of the road:

Always remember to slow down and move over when an emergency vehicle is parked on the side of the road.

Image via YouTube