Latest news with #FordExplorers
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
CHP's new low-profile patrol vehicles will be harder for scofflaws to spot
The California Highway Patrol is putting officers in a new generation of low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles meant to 'blend into traffic just enough to observe the most reckless and dangerous behaviors without immediate detection,' officials announced. In a news release, CHP said California sees nearly 400,000 crashes a year, almost 1,000 reports of reckless driving a day and that in 2024, officers issued 18,000 citations to motorists driving at speeds of 100 miles per hour or higher. 'These new tools will help our officers hold the most egregious violators accountable,' the release stated. Some 400 new Dodge Durangos are being added to the fleet, but only 100 of the vehicles will get the special markings meant to blend into traffic. The other 300 will have CHP's traditional look. The specially marked patrol vehicles will not have the agency's typical black and white markings but will sport a variety of standard Dodge manufacturer colorings, though CHP's logo will be emblazoned on the sides of the cars. Rather than lights and sirens on top of the new low-profile cars, the gear is situated in the interior top of the front and rear windows, as well as on the side bottom of the vehicle. Arrests made in alleged L.A. Armenian crime syndicate engaged in violent feud The new Durangos are also faster, each one containing a V8 Hemi engine compared to the V6 in CHP's current fleet of Ford Explorers, Chevy Tahoes and Dodge Chargers. While the special patrol vehicles will all be in service by June, some stations, like Baldwin Park, are already out and about in the vehicles, with the agency telling the Orange County Register that officers immediately noticed motorists driving at higher speeds than they usually see while in the traditional-looking patrol vehicles. 'These cars aren't meant to prey on normal and unsuspecting people,' CHP Officer Alec Pereyda told The Register. 'These are meant for those speeding and aggressive drivers.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
CHP premieres new low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles
Aggressive lane weaving, triple-digit speeds and road rage might be part of a high-score strategy in video games, but in the real world such maneuvers are deadly. In an effort to crack down on what can only be described as 'video game-styled' driving on the state's highways, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is deploying a new generation of low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles (SMPV) – and one such vehicle is coming to the California Highway Patrol Office in Red Bluff. 'The new vehicles give our officers an important advantage,' said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. '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 100 new Dodge Durangos—paired with the CHP's existing high-performance fleet, which includes Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers—blend into traffic just enough to observe the most reckless and dangerous behaviors without immediate detection, Duryee said. 'Once enforcement begins, their markings serve as a clear reminder that safety is the CHP's top priority,' he added. With over 390,000 crashes annually in California and nearly 1,000 daily reports of reckless driving, the new vehicle-tools will help CHP officers hold the most egregious violators accountable, according to the CHP. Last year, CHP officers issued almost 18,000 citations to drivers speeding over 100 miles per hour. Speed is a factor in approximately 30 percent of all crashes and a major contributor to traffic fatalities and injuries, Duryee said. It is particularly dangerous because it decreases reaction time, extends stopping distance, and intensifies the severity of crashes. 'Our goal remains the same, to reduce injuries, prevent fatalities, and restore a sense of safety on California's roadways. We urge all drivers to obey speed limits, avoid aggressive behavior, and share the road responsibly,' he added. The CHP positioned the first 25 SMPVs in various regions across California last week. All 100 high-performance patrol units will be strategically placed along California's busiest, high-risk roadways by June. Speed isn't a thrill—it's a threat, and the CHP is responding, Duryee said.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
CHP's new vehicles aim to catch reckless drivers
NOTE: The video above provides driving safety tips. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The California Highway Patrol is implementing a new strategy to crack down on what they call 'video game-styled' reckless driving. The law enforcement agency announced the addition of 100 Dodge Durangos to its fleet of Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers. CHP says the goal of the low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles (SMPVs) is to 'blend into traffic just enough to observe the most reckless and dangerous behaviors without immediate detection.' 'The new vehicles give our officers an important advantage,' said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. '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.' In California, there are over 390,000 crashes per year and nearly 1,000 reports of reckless driving a day, according to CHP. With almost 18,000 citations given out to drivers speeding over 100 miles per hour, speed is a factor in around 30% of all crashes. 'Our goal remains the same: reduce injuries, prevent fatalities, and restore a sense of safety on California's roadways. We urge all drivers to obey speed limits, avoid aggressive behavior, and share the road responsibly,' CHP said. All 100 of the SMPVs will be placed along California's busiest, high-risk roadways by June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Epoch Times
California Deploys Next-Gen Highway Patrol Vehicles to Stop ‘Video Game Style' Driving
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said on May 8 that it has rolled out its newest weapon to crack down on what the department calls 'video-game-style' driving by deploying specially marked patrol vehicles on busy highways. 'We're deploying 100 of these vehicles statewide to confront a growing threat—aggressive drivers who speed excessively, tailgate, split lanes, and endanger lives,' CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee The CHP will use 2024 Dodge Durangos fitted with the latest lights and colors to blend into traffic. The first 25 vehicles will be deployed across the state this week. All 100 of the units will be strategically placed along California's busiest, high-risk roadways by June, the CHP said. Each Durango features a V8 Hemi engine, a police pursuit package, concealed 360-degree emergency lighting, and a version of the CHP badge on the door. Uniformed officers will operate them primarily on multi-lane freeways with a clear mission to identify and stop reckless and dangerous drivers, according to Duryee. Related Stories 12/27/2024 11/20/2024 'The new vehicles give our officers an important advantage,' Duryee said in a The blue-and-red flashing lights are mounted inside the rear window and windshield. The vehicles are also equipped with police lights and flashing lights inside the headlights, the grill, and the running boards. The new vehicles will be added to the CHP's existing fleet of high-performance units, which include Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers. The vehicles allow officers to blend into traffic just enough to observe the most reckless and dangerous behaviors without immediate detection, according to the CHP. More than 390,000 vehicle crashes are reported each year in California, and nearly 1,000 incidents of reckless driving happen each day, the agency reported. Last year, CHP officers issued almost 18,000 citations to drivers going over 100 miles per hour, according to CHP. The California Highway Patrol estimated on May 8, 2025, that the state has about 1,000 reports of reckless driving every day. (CHP) CHP Speed is a factor in about 30 percent of all crashes and is a major contributor to traffic deaths and injuries. The CHP said it is particularly dangerous because it decreases reaction time, extends stopping distance, and intensifies the severity of crashes. 'Despite advances in vehicle safety, California still sees over 4,000 traffic deaths annually. Most of these are preventable,' Duryee said. 'A small percentage of aggressive drivers put everyone at risk.' Using the latest
Los Angeles Times
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Can new patrol vehicles crack down on ‘video game-styled' driving in California?
The California Highway Patrol is deploying new patrol vehicles in hopes of cracking down on what the agency called 'video game-styled' driving. The vehicles, 100 Dodge Durangos, will be paired with a fleet of Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers to 'observe the most reckless and dangerous behaviors without immediate detection,' according to a CHP news release. 'The new vehicles give our officers an important advantage,' CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a statement. '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 vehicles will be placed in various regions across the state starting this week. All 100 patrol units will be stationed along California's busiest roads and highways by June. More than 390,000 vehicle crashes happen in California every year, and there are 1,000 daily reports of reckless driving, the agency said. CHP officers issued nearly 18,000 citations last year to people who were speeding at more than 100 mph. Speed is a factor in about 30% of crashes, according to the CHP. 'Our goal remains the same: reduce injuries, prevent fatalities, and restore a sense of safety on California's roadways,' according to the release. 'We urge all drivers to obey speed limits, avoid aggressive behavior, and share the road responsibly.'
