James Hanson has created "The Traffic Shield," a 16-foot barrier that prevents gawkers from glimpsing the aftermath of an accident.
Hanson said he thought of the device after being frustrated by traffic jams that surrounded the scenes of accidents.
"The only reason was that people were looking at the accident," he said.
Workers behind the barrier can see oncoming traffic through the nylon netting, but would-be onlookers only see the inflatable barrier.
It would only take police officers five seconds to inflate the barrier using its pressurized cartridge, Hanson said. Rolled up, the deflated shield fits in a gym bag and weighs about 25 pounds.
Hanson, who sells scientific equipment for a living, hopes to sell or license his invention to police forces.
Hanson received patent number 5,269,623 in December [,1993].