State patrol tracks DUIs from the sky
05-26-2007, 03:12 PM
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State patrol tracks DUIs from the sky
Now this is the kind of flying job I'd like!
KING5.com staff
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. -- Washington State Patrol is taking to the air this holiday weekend in an effort to keep the roads safe.
Its new project includes dispatching an aircraft to 9-1-1 reports of drunk drivers in Snohomish County, and using infrared cameras to keep an eye on the motorists. When a dialer calls 9-1-1, the pilot can be over the suspected drunk driver in minutes. Troopers believe they're the first in the country to launch this kind of tactic. "This is the first time in our agency's history that we've ever tried something like this at night with our aircraft on a DUI emphasis," said Kirk Rudeen, of state patrol.
They use infrared cameras
On Saturday, troopers said they'd clocked a driver at 120 miles per hour with the new system. The aircraft tracks the suspected drivers until a trooper on the ground can stop the possible DUI, then moves on. For the first time -- the video from the aircraft is being sent in real-time to troopers on the ground. "Having the ability to send a signal to a facility like this, where people can get real time imaging of what's happening is invaluable in making good decisions and deploying your resources in the most effective manner," Rudeen said. The WSP planned for its aircraft to be in operation 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday night, which is the peak time impaired drivers are on our roadways. I-5, Highway 99, and I-405 are among the roads being patrolled from the air.
http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=147267&shu=1
KING5.com staff
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. -- Washington State Patrol is taking to the air this holiday weekend in an effort to keep the roads safe.
Its new project includes dispatching an aircraft to 9-1-1 reports of drunk drivers in Snohomish County, and using infrared cameras to keep an eye on the motorists. When a dialer calls 9-1-1, the pilot can be over the suspected drunk driver in minutes. Troopers believe they're the first in the country to launch this kind of tactic. "This is the first time in our agency's history that we've ever tried something like this at night with our aircraft on a DUI emphasis," said Kirk Rudeen, of state patrol.
They use infrared cameras
On Saturday, troopers said they'd clocked a driver at 120 miles per hour with the new system. The aircraft tracks the suspected drivers until a trooper on the ground can stop the possible DUI, then moves on. For the first time -- the video from the aircraft is being sent in real-time to troopers on the ground. "Having the ability to send a signal to a facility like this, where people can get real time imaging of what's happening is invaluable in making good decisions and deploying your resources in the most effective manner," Rudeen said. The WSP planned for its aircraft to be in operation 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday night, which is the peak time impaired drivers are on our roadways. I-5, Highway 99, and I-405 are among the roads being patrolled from the air.
http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=147267&shu=1
Last edited by vagabond; 05-26-2007 at 04:21 PM. Reason: forgot the link to video, had to go take a nap first.
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