Cops ride shotgun in Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. — Even though they might not allow smoking in the cab, they might allow Smokey in. At least they do in Kansas – radar gun and all.

For the second year in a row, the Kansas Highway patrol’s Trucks on Patrol (TOPS) program is rolling across highways throughout the state. The program, pairing commercial vehicle companies and drivers with the patrol, and supported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was implemented in Kansas in 2007.

The idea is to reduce injuries and deaths related to large truck crashes on Kansas’ roadways.

TOPS troopers ride with professional drivers and in this case drivers from Con-Way. The troopers onboard have a great seat from where they can view, document and report violations to other troopers on patrol in the immediate area. Each vehicle is equipped with a temporary five-camera system that records violations by both passenger vehicles and other commercial vehicles. Through TOPS, troopers will enforce state laws and federal regulations in and around large trucks, as well as educate the motoring public of the dangers that exist around semis.

 

Kansas State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Chris Turner, left, and
Con-way driver Ernie Arnote have two cameras and
a radargun in the cab. There are three more cameras
mounted on the truck that Turner can monitor.

"It’s vital to continue raising citizens’ awareness of the importance of safety on the roadway," said Governor Kathleen Sebelius. "With the number of trucks on Kansas roadways each day it’s important we work together to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities throughout our state."

Last week was the seventh week of this year’s TOPS deployment. The TOPS program spent the week traveling around the Kansas City metro area of the state.

One of the primary focuses of the TOPS program is to raise the public’s awareness of the added precautions that must be taken when sharing the road with large trucks. Because of the benefits of educating the public and striving to reduce traffic deaths on the highways, FMCSA is encouraging more states to get involved in programs similar to the TOPS program.
 


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*