According to CHP, the new Dodge Durangos will allow officers to catch reckless and unsafe drivers more easily.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said on May 8 that it deployed its latest weapons to crack down on what the department calls “video game style” by deploying specially marked patrol vehicles on busy highways.
CHP blends in with the traffic using the 2024 Dodge Durangos with the latest lights and colours.
The first 25 vehicles will be deployed throughout the state this week. According to the CHP, all 100 units will be strategically located along California’s busiest and riskiest roads by June.
Each Durango features a V8 HEMI engine, a police pursuit package, 360-degree emergency lighting, and a version of a CHP badge on the door.
According to Duryee, uniformed officers operate them primarily on multi-lane highways.
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The blue and red flashing lights are mounted inside the rear window and windshield. The vehicle is also equipped with headlights, grilles, police lights and flashing lights inside the running board.
The new vehicle will be added to CHP’s existing high-performance units, including Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers.
According to the CHP, the vehicle allows officers to blend in enough traffic to observe the most reckless and dangerous behavior without immediate detection.
Over 390,000 vehicle collisions are reported in California each year, with nearly 1,000 reckless driving incidents occurring every day.
Last year, CHP officials issued roughly 18,000 citations to drivers over 100 mph, according to CHP.
The California Highway Patrol estimates that the state has approximately 1,000 reckless driving reports daily on May 8, 2025. (CHP)CHP
Speed is about 30% of all crashes and is a major contributor to traffic deaths and injuries. CHP said it is particularly dangerous as it reduces reaction times, increases stopping distances and enhances crash severity.
“Despite advances in vehicle safety, California still sees more than 4,000 traffic deaths per year, most of which are preventable,” Dury said. “A small portion of aggressive drivers are at risk for everyone.”
