WILLIAMSVILLE, Ill. (WAND)- Illinois State Police patrolled a stretch of I-55 in a semi Wednesday as part of a new effort called Trooper in a Truck.
Troopers in the truck watched for drivers using mobile phones, then alerted troopers in patrol cars who cited the problem drivers.
“We need to see actual interaction with the phone,” said Master Sergeant Todd Armstrong. “We need to see them looking down and touching it.”
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So far, troopers say they have carried out such patrols on I-57, I-55 and I-70. State Police said they cited 13 drivers for distracted driving during their patrols Wednesday,
The truck used Wednesday was provided by Newman Carriers out of Fairmont City. Company president Joseph Newman said his drivers often encounter dangerous drivers.
“The texting is horrible,” Newman said. “Cutting off trucks. Changing lanes without turn signals. Stuff like that is what needs to be avoided.”
http://www.wandtv.com/story/39080355/troopers-in-trucks-target-distracted-driving