Kentucky troopers trade in cruisers for semi trucks for Memorial Day weekend patrol

Kentucky state troopers made use of the high vantage points of semi trucks to catch motorists texting and failing to wear seat belts  during Memorial Day weekend.

As part of the Kentucky State Patrol’s “Click It Or Ticket” campaign over the weekend, troopers rode in special state police big rigs in order to catch motorists who were texting or not wearing seat belts. When troopers inside the truck spotted a violation, they radioed to other officers in marked police vehicles to pull over and possibly ticket the offender, according to WKYT.

During the enforcement effort on Friday, Kentucky State Trooper Lloyd Cochran reported that one pickup truck driver who recently passed him was using both hands to text while operating the moving vehicle.

According to Police Mag, about one third of U.S. drivers admitted to sending texts or e-mails while driving.

State troopers get a good view into cars by using a semi truck to catch texters and seat belt violators. https://t.co/GfIreuNkR1

— WYMT (@WYMT) May 25, 2018

Using semi trucks to monitor traffic is beneficial because it gives authorities a great view of what goes on inside neighboring vehicles. Semi trucks also gave officers a way to blend in with the heavy traffic flow this past holiday weekend.

“It really gives you perspective how many people text and drive and how many wear their seat belts,” Cochran says. “How many children are not properly restrained in car seats? It’s a helpful tool.”

Seatbelt fines are $25 while texting and driving violations are $35 plus additional court costs.