State Patrol Is Targeting Dangerous Drivers From The Sky

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By Holly Zuluaga

Summary

State Patrol has an “eye” in the sky this weekend. They are targeting drunk and aggressive drivers. Trooper Scott Sweeney and Trooper John Ames are on the lookout from way up high.

Story Published: Jul 24, 2010 at 6:00 PM PST

TRI-CITIES—State Patrol has an “eye” in the sky this weekend.

They are targeting drunk and aggressive drivers.

Trooper Scott Sweeney and Trooper John Ames are on the lookout from way up high.

With a bird’s eye view, they're aim is to keep drivers safe.

“One of the benefits is definitely our overall better perspective of what's going on, we can look down and see 1 or 2 miles of the roadway,” Trooper John Ames said.

The aviation section of State Patrol works with troopers on the ground.

When dispatch gets a report of a drunk or aggressive driver, the plane can locate them faster.

The plane is equipped with a camera so that troopers from the sky can see and record drivers breaking the law.

Recording the situation is a big benefit, especially if a driver tries to deny it.

It's new for the Tri-Cities.

This is the first year State Patrol has brought the plane over for Water Follies.

However, with so many extra people here for the races they're hoping it will help get dangerous drivers off the road.

State Patrol told me it's been very effective on the west side.

“We've found that in these cases we're able to find that dangerous driver, 48% of the time, they are indeed impaired,” Trooper John Ames said.

It is impressive technology, but state patrol says you are their best tool.

If you see a dangerous driver, call police.