Cessna 210 Centurion / Turbo Centurion 210C; 210D
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 34; Flight Crew Total 3958.3; Flight Crew Type 2909
Distraction; Physiological - Other
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Excursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Human Factors
I was taxiing after landing and I missed the first available runway exit. The airport Controller dispatched the airport police to assist me and guide me to the ramp. The police vehicle had its overhead light bar on with red; blue; and white lights. I informed the Tower that the light bar was blinding me but the Controller said the Officer needed to have it on or some such explanation. The truck was in front of me but because of my impaired night vision due to the bright LED lights on the police truck I ended up taxiing onto the grass area after missing the turn. I believe that this occurrence could have been totally avoided if the Police Officer had just shut off his light bar. No one was injured and no damage was done to any property; including the airplane.
When an airport police/follow me vehicle was dispatched to assist the pilot of a CE210-P who had missed a turn off the pilot; while in trail of the vehicle; ran off the paved surface. The reporter cited the vehicle driver's unwillingness to extinguish the brightly illuminated light bar on the truck as the major contributing factor to his loss of situational awareness. ATC responded the driver was required to operate the lights at night. No damage or injuries resulted.