FHP to use 18 'stealth' cars to track down aggressive drivers



Associated Press

December 7, 2004, 7:14 AM EST

TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Highway Patrol has unveiled its newest weapon in cracking down on aggressive driving: 18 unmarked ``stealth'' cars ready to pursue speeders across the state.

The high-performance Mercury Marauders are completely unmarked, complete with regular-issue license plates. Their police lights are hidden behind the front grilles and their windows are tinted, obscuring the uniformed trooper inside.

FHP chief Col. Chris Knight said aggressive drivers ``are turning our highways into high-risk arenas.'' The department gets more complaints about aggressive driving _ drivers who commit two or more moving violations simultaneously, such as speeding and weaving in and out of traffic _ than any other subject.

From July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004, there were nearly 8,800 citations for aggressive driving statewide.

During a pilot program using three Marauders in Broward and Palm Beach counties through Oct. 31, the department issued more than 700 citations.

Broward Trooper Gary Slayton, who has been in a pilot project with the Marauder, said even in heavy traffic ``we are seeing drivers running 100, 110 miles an hour.''

The vehicles were donated by a benefactor who wants to remain anonymous, FHP spokesman Maj. Ernesto Duarte said.

Assigning 18 troopers to the job is ``the largest effort at combating aggressive driving in the Florida Highway Patrol's history,'' said Kevin Guidry, an FHP bureau chief in charge of the program.

The cars are equipped with high-definition digital video and an infrared camera, backing up troopers when they confront aggressive drivers.

``When you have the camera, they can't dispute it,'' said FHP Trooper Mike Transue.

 

I had one of these guys mess with me on I-4 a couple weeks ago. I think they're trying to provoke people and see what happens.

 

Exactly.

Thx for the heads up K.

 

Damn FHP! Always trying to cause problems for us "good" drivers that are labled as "aggressive."

 

Thanks now I understand. Last week I was on I-95 crusing at 77mph in left lane and a vehicle with the above discription came up behind me as I was passing a 18 wheeler. Once past the truck I pulled in to the right lane and continued on at about 72-73mph and they must have followed me for over twenty miles before pulling off. I thought is was just and idiot following me to closely.

PEACE and safe

 

Damn sneaky bastards!

 

they need to use them cars to catch the people not paying attention when they drive, aka cell phone users in huge suv's. at least the agrressive ones have full attention on the road

 

Our state is full of real crime like murder, robbery, rape, assault and they waste time and money on trying to CATCH a few speeders.
Don

 

Sadly, catching speeders is lucrative. Catching murderers, rapists, and thieves is not.

 

There are some unusual un-marked cars around here in central FL. This year I have seen ford explorers, ford pick-up trucks (with diamond plate work boxes in the bed), a white ford dualie, a blue pontiac bonneville, and just last week, a dark green toyota avalon.
Be careful out there.