Highway Patrol to target aggressive drivers

Operation Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks, or TACT, will focus on commercial truck drivers and people driving recklessly around commercial trucks. Various locations across the state were selected for the enforcement effort, based on crash data and the large number of commercial motor vehicles and cars that travel there.

“The Highway Patrol is responding to the increase of big truck crashes on our highways,” Col. Randy Glover, commander of the Highway Patrol, said in a statement. “We are going to make the highways as safe as possible. I have instructed our troopers to aggressively crack down on cars driving recklessly around big trucks and on commercial motor vehicles violating traffic laws. Motorists should remember not to press their luck, and leave room for trucks.”

Troopers investigated more than 4,800 crashes statewide last year that involved commercial trucks. Ninety people were killed and 1,433 injured in crashes involving motor carrier vehicles last year.

Operation TACT, which runs through September, is the first campaign to concentrate solely on people driving aggressively around commercial motor vehicles. Troopers will ticket speeders, tailgaters and others exhibiting aggressive driving.

“Trucks need extra time and extra space to change lanes or come to a complete stop. By giving trucks the room they need, we can prevent crashes and save lives," Reuben Young, Secretary of the state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said in a statement. "Sharing the road safely is every driver’s responsibility.”