The Ford Crown Victoria has come under scrutiny because
of gas-tank fires and explosions with Crown Victoria police cruisers.
There are about 350,000 Crown Victoria Police Interceptors on the road.
An estimated 14 police officers nationwide have died in accidents allegedly
where the car's gas tank exploded following high speed, rear-end crashes.
Critics say the Crown Victoria's danger stems from the placement of its
gas tank, which is between the rear bumper and the rear axle.
On September 27, 2002, Ford Motor Company and the Arizona Attorney
General announced that the auto maker will install and pay for fuel-tank
shields on Crown Victoria Interceptor police vehicles. During a press
briefing, Arizona Attorney General Janet Napolitano said Ford will
offer an upgrade kit, which will include the shields. The company also
said it will offer an optional trunk package, which is designed to
help police officers carry sharp-edged heavy equipment more safely.
All police department orders of Crown Victoria Police Interceptors will
be built with the fuel-tank shields from today forward, Ford said. While
pleased that Ford agreed to make the modifications, it was reported that
the families of some victims said independent testing on the fix should
be done.
"We welcome Ford's efforts, but the consequences of an ineffective
solution to this problem can be fatal. We cannot risk that," stated
Ann Marie Nielsen in an Associated Press article. Her husband Robert
Nielsen, a police officer in Chandler, Arizona, was killed on June 12,
2002, after his patrol car collided with another car and burst into flames. |
