The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is partnering with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) to pilot new technology in North Bend.
In a major advancement for roadway safety, WSP will be testing the Safety Cloud by HAAS Alert, a public safety solution that delivers real-time digital alerts to motorists when emergency vehicles are approaching or working on scene. This life-saving technology provides drivers with crucial extra warning time – proven to reduce collision risks by up to 90%.
While Washington Move Over laws require drivers to slow down and change lanes for active emergency vehicles, flashing lights and sirens often don’t provide enough warning to drivers, especially at high speeds or in poor visibility. Safety Cloud solves this by delivering safety alerts to drivers through multiple channels:
- Navigation apps: Automatic warnings appear in Waze and Apple Maps
- Vehicle dashboards: Built-in alerts for 2018 and newer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles, plus 2024 and newer Volkswagen vehicles
“This technology bridges the gap between what the law requires and what actually happens on the road,” said Project Manager Haley Shipman. “When our lights activate, Safety Cloud gives drivers critical extra time to anticipate us and safely react – protecting both our personnel and the public we serve.”
The system requires drivers to take no action beyond using their regular navigation apps. WSP joins more than 4,000 agencies nationwide already using this protection system, and HAAS Alert is actively expanding to additional vehicle platforms.
“Roadside line-of-duty deaths are preventable tragedies,” added Haley. “By combining this technology with public awareness, we’re creating safer roads for everyone.”
For more information about this life-saving technology, visit www.haasalert.com.
