by California Implements “Invisible” Patrol Cars
The California Highway Patrol will receive 100 Dodge Durango vehicles that will be disguised as ordinary vehicles. These specially marked patrol vehicles (SMPV) will have subdued graphics and concealed emergency lights, allowing them to move unnoticed in traffic. The primary goal is to combat dangerous driving, including speeding and aggressive maneuvering.
The new Durangos are equipped with powerful Hemi V8 engines, but unlike classic black-and-white police cars, they will retain their factory paint. They can only be recognized by small logos on the front doors. The colors are predominantly neutral: silver, gray, and dark purple.
“The police receive about 1,000 complaints daily about reckless driving, with speed being a factor in 30% of accidents,” reports the California Highway Patrol.
Missouri Also Joins In
A similar initiative is being launched by the Missouri State Police. There, the Durangos will receive even more camouflaging “ghost” graphic elements, which are almost invisible during the day but become visible at night due to their reflective surface.
This is not California’s first experience with “invisible” patrols – as far back as 1990, similar vehicles were used for truck monitoring. The launch of the new program is scheduled for June, and drivers should be more careful on the roads.
It should be noted that such measures often cause controversy – on one hand, they can reduce the number of accidents, but on the other, some drivers consider such methods too aggressive. At the same time, the experience of other states shows that the presence of “unnoticeable” patrols does indeed force drivers to obey the rules.
