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Home  >  EMS Topics  >  Safety  >  Photo: Trooper patrols in 18 wheeler to catch texters
March 15, 2013

Photo: Trooper patrols in 18 wheeler to catch texters

He is one of 97 officers in the state who carry a heavy goods licence so they can gain a better view of distracted drivers

By Matt Blake
The Daily Mail

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Highway patrol officer Gordon Roberts does not take kindly to drivers who break the law. In fact, he rather looks down on them. The Tennessee State Trooper has an ingenious way of spotting motorists who drink, text or don't wear seat belts at the wheel - by patrolling the motorways in a 40-tonne lorry.

The only trouble is that pulling over cars in an 80-foot articulated truck presents more than a few problems, not to mention the logistics of a high-speed chase.

So instead he just radios police headquarters with what he sees and the control room dispatches a team of troopers to chase the outlaws down in patrol cars and dish out tickets.

Full Story: Looking down on lawbreakers: Anti-text message trooper patrols highway in 40-tonne lorry so he can peer into cars to catch drivers sending an SMS at the wheel


Photo Dan Henry/Times Free Press

Comments
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Alison Butler Alison Butler Saturday, March 16, 2013 10:51:25 AM what a good idea,,, should do that I'm England...
Sharon McGehee Sharon McGehee Saturday, March 16, 2013 12:52:06 PM that is smart thinking right there!
Brian Duvall Brian Duvall Saturday, March 16, 2013 1:44:09 PM That's awesome lol...
Jackie Steele Jackie Steele Saturday, March 16, 2013 9:59:21 PM That puts a whole new perspective on "Break 19 can I get a bear report?"
Vernon Adams Vernon Adams Saturday, March 16, 2013 11:56:58 PM You need to worry about the big rig bounty hunters.
Jackie Steele Jackie Steele Sunday, March 17, 2013 11:06:03 AM Watched that show for the first time yesterday Vernon. Not sure if I'm a fan or not! Ha!
Brian Hill Brian Hill Monday, March 18, 2013 10:14:59 PM Jackie, ur comment remains me of the song "White Knight"
Dan Bastian Dan Bastian Saturday, March 16, 2013 10:19:55 PM it is a great idea... people don't realize some of the things we see as drivers.
David Sena David Sena Saturday, March 16, 2013 10:42:18 PM Pretty sneaky.
Carlos Agustin Cruz Carlos Agustin Cruz Sunday, March 17, 2013 7:34:42 AM He should of had about 1million tickets already
Tim Ceaser Tim Ceaser Sunday, March 17, 2013 7:38:56 AM U lucky tax payers get ta pay his fuel bill also at 5mpg u do the math
Jake Stein Jake Stein Sunday, March 17, 2013 4:05:50 PM No different then EMTs and Paramedics driving big fire trucks to restaurants, shopping centers, personal errands and coffee several times a day. At least the troopers are making the roads a little safer.
Sean Bayliss Sean Bayliss Sunday, March 17, 2013 7:39:37 AM The best idea I have heard in a long time.
Bryan Maynard Bryan Maynard Sunday, March 17, 2013 7:43:48 AM That's a pretty good idea. Cause from sitting up in the truck, you can see things in cars a LOT easier.
Henry J Downer Henry J Downer Sunday, March 17, 2013 7:56:23 AM so...hes texting and driving?
Henry J Downer Henry J Downer Sunday, March 17, 2013 7:57:33 AM wonder what his log book looks like, and if he even knows how to do one?
Cynthia Datusch Guthrie Cynthia Datusch Guthrie Sunday, March 17, 2013 9:55:50 AM Are They Serious... Now how are they gunna Prove what you are doin, Unless they are using Equipment, like cell phone to take your Picture of what you are doin....
Algier Martin Algier Martin Monday, March 18, 2013 3:38:31 PM A safer effective way just use drones
Dennis MacFarland Dennis MacFarland Monday, March 18, 2013 4:05:50 PM Good idea, about 8 out of 10 cars I look down at the driver is texting. texting is far worse than drinking and driving.
Louis Anthony Rivera Louis Anthony Rivera Monday, March 18, 2013 4:53:30 PM Fucking stupid
Joseph J Greco Joseph J Greco Monday, March 18, 2013 7:19:33 PM That's cool shit. We see tons of things from the seat of an 18 wheeler....and you have no idea how many times a trucker said "I wish there was a cop around".
Jared Roper Jared Roper Tuesday, April 09, 2013 6:24:37 PM Wonder if they are writing enough tickets to pay for the costs of that?

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