VALPARAISO | That white pickup truck that appears to be an INDOT vehicle on the highway might be driven by a state trooper.
The Indiana State Police on Monday announced an all-out effort to reduce the number of fatal crashes, which have been increasing in rural areas.
Lt. Jerry Williams said troopers will be out in a variety of vehicles, including what he called "stealth" vehicles, to increase enforcement efforts.
Williams said ISP data show that fatalities decrease when enforcement efforts increase.
The stealth vehicles include unmarked Mustangs, a state police airplane and pickup trucks marked to look like an Indiana Department of Transportation vehicle, but are fully equipped with lights, siren, radar and computer equipment.
Williams said troopers will not only be looking for drivers who are speeding, but also those who are following too closely or unsafely change lanes.
Police said although there are no clear indicators where fatal wrecks will occur, they have found several factors that contribute to the rural crashes, including driving off the right edge of the road; failure to yield the right of way and disregarding traffic signals; unsafe speed; and driving left of center.
Williams said these violations are often displayed by inexperienced or distracted drivers.
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