CHP’s ‘Trooper Truck’ might be a joke, but they’re for real in other states

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) shared an April Fool’s Day Facebook post highlighting a fictional new tractor/trailer combination patrol vehicle as a joke, but similar trooper trucks are actually in use in other states.

CHP’s Merced division celebrated April Fool’s Day with a joke post about a trooper truck complete with light bar.

The post reads:

INTRODUCING THE NEWEST PATROL UNIT TO THE FLEET

The CHP Merced Area Office will be the first area to test the new tractor/trailer combination patrol vehicle. This new patrol vehicle will be utilized to enhance the ability for officers to identify distracted drivers. The raised viewing location allows officers to easily spot drivers using a mobile phone without a handsfree device. Once officers have located a distracted driver, they will call for another unit to make the enforcement stop. If there is not another unit available, the new patrol vehicle is equipped with emergency lights and will allow the officer to make the enforcement stop if necessary. If you are still reading this, we would like to remind you what day it is today and hope you get a good laugh out of this, but driving distracted is no laughing matter. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The California Highway Patrol, California Office of Traffic Safety, Impact Teen Drivers, local law enforcement, and other traffic safety partners will work together through Distracted Driving Awareness Month to educate drivers on the dangers of distracted driving.Driving is a complex task, requiring a motorist’s full attention. Anything that diverts the driver’s eyes or attention from the roadway, even for 1-2 seconds, could result in tragedy. The bottom line, whatever the distraction, “It’s Not Worth It!”The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

While CHP used the post for humor and to deliver a message about distracted driving, a number of state police agencies have their own semi trucks, and others that don’t often partner with local trucking companies to ride along in big rigs to stop distracted driving or other violations.

The Florida Highway Patrol has multiple marked semi trucks that the agency uses both in enforcement activities and as educational tools. When the trucks are used for enforcement, a trooper can “hide” in plain sight in the semi and use the extra height to look down into other vehicles to spot drivers who might be texting behind the wheel or performing other violations.

The  Tennessee Highway Patrol also has its own custom Peterbilt that they use for similar enforcement campaigns.

The Nebraska State Patrol recently teamed up with Werner Enterprises for a “Trooper in a Truck” effort.

Other states that have participated in “Trooper in a Truck” activities include Indiana, Illinois, and New Hampshire.