The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has started introducing specially marked 2024 Dodge Durango’s in a concerted and ongoing effort to crack down on “video-game styled” driving on highways. One of the first offices in the state to receive one is the Modesto office. Reportedly the CHP will employ 100 of these specially marked patrol vehicles (SMPVs) throughout the state to patrol the busiest and most high-risk highways. So far, 25 have been introduced across California, while other CHP offices will receive the remaining vehicles within the next month.
Over Memorial Day Weekend a new Dodge Durango Specially Marked Patrol Vehicle spotted a BMW speeding and weaving through traffic at speeds up to 91 mph. The officer initiated a stop, and the BMW pulled to the shoulder, but not before the unlicensed 17-year-old driver attempted to swap seats with his 19-year-old passenger.
The teen driver was arrested for reckless driving, driving without a driver license, delaying an officer, and having an open container of drugs. The passenger was cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and delaying an officer. The vehicle was impounded. Great job by CHP officers working hard to keep our roads safe.
The CHP says the goal of the specially marked vehicles is to blend in with traffic, allowing officers to observe and deal with dangerous and reckless driving without being spotted. Modesto CHP Information Officer Tom Olsen shared a real-life example of the impact of these vehicles that blend in with traffic. Two days after the initial introduction Officer Olsen was in the SMPV and stopped in traffic on Dale Road. While stopped he witnessed two vehicles illegally passing using the road’s shoulder. The Officer made an enforcement stop on one of the vehicles, whose driver admitted not noticing Olsen.
Olsen said if he’d been driving a white-and-black unit, the drivers may have not made that illegal maneuver. “We all see police vehicles and we tend to slow down. We all do. It’s human nature,” Olsen said. “This vehicle is specific to catching people in the act, so people don’t easily recognize it.” Olsen said the Modesto office might be in line to receive another SMPV. If that happens one will be on Highway 99 while the other will be on Interstate 5. Currently the lone Durango is being used on both. The SMPV’s are currently only being used during daylight hours.
Another distinguishing feature of the SMPV in the Modesto office’s other vehicles is its performance, Olsen said. The Durango has a Hemi V8 engine, giving it have at least 293 horsepower. Also helping it blend in is that absence of roof-mounted lights. The CHP reports that officers issued nearly 18,000 citations to drivers driving over 100 mph last year. It says that in recent years, the agency has responded to over 390,000 crashes annually and close to 1,000 daily reports of reckless driving.
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee says “The new vehicles give our officers an important advantage. They will allow us to identify and stop drivers who are putting others at risk, while still showing a professional and visible presence once enforcement action is needed.” The CHP Modesto office’s Facebook page introduced the specially marked Durango and received hundreds of comments. Predictably, some were critical with comments like “stealthy and nasty” while others were supportive saying “I’m grateful for the CHP’s dedication to keeping our roads safe” and “The new undercover patrol cars are a fantastic idea! As a truck driver, l’ve encountered my share of reckless drivers on Highway 99. It’s not just cars, though – some truck drivers can be pretty reckless too.” Providing the highest level of safety, service and security is the mission of the CHP and we applaud their efforts!
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