March 28, 2024
Local News

Troopers pair up with truck drivers to crack down on distracted driving in, around Will County

‘Trooper in a Truck’ consists of state troopers riding along with truck drivers

State troopers are clambering up into the cabs of semitrailers in an attempt to crack down on distracted driving across Illinois.

A news conference was held Wednesday to discuss the new initiative at Cadence Premier Logistics in Joliet. Illinois State Police, the Illinois Trucking Association and Cadence hosted the event to discuss the safety program and partnership and create greater awareness of distracted driving.

“Trooper in a Truck” will consist of Illinois state troopers riding along in the cabs of commercial motor vehicles to spot distracted driving. The troopers then notify police units up ahead to stop the violators and correct the problem.

“When the trooper is in the cab of the truck, he can see another truck, he can see another SUV, he can see anything. It’s easier for them to visualize the violation from inside the truck,” Maj. Robert Meeder said.

The partnership urges drivers to be aware that calls and texts can wait – they should do their part to keep the roadways safe and avoid unsafe driving, he added.

“Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of all traffic crashes,” Meeder said. “Approximately 10 people nationwide lose their lives daily from distracted driving crashes.”

ISP has organized trooper in a truck details on Interstates 57, 55 and 70, to date. The details not only watch for drivers using their phones while operating a vehicle but also following too closely and stopping short, as a result. The program has been in motion for just over a year.

“Our main responsibility is safety,” said Rocky Caylor, president and CEO of Cadence Premier Logistics.

The ISP, ITA and Cadence are working together for the same goal – to make the public conscious of the laws and to be aware while driving, not distracted.

“We want to encourage motorists to turn off their cell phones prior to operating a vehicle so they are not tempted to answer calls on the roads,” Meeder said. “If drivers must keep their cell phones turned on, we encourage them to pull over to a safe location away from traffic, if they need to call or text.”