“The new vehicles give our officers an important advantage,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “They will allow us to identify and stop drivers who are putting others at risk, while still showing a professional and visible presence once enforcement action is needed.”
The 100 Dodge Durangos—paired with CHP’s existing high-performance fleet, which includes Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers—blend into traffic just enough to observe the most reckless and dangerous behaviors without immediate detection. Once enforcement begins, their markings serve as a clear reminder that safety is the CHP’s top priority, the agency said in a press release .
With over 390,000 crashes annually in California and nearly 1,000 daily reports of reckless driving, these new tools will help CHP officers hold the most egregious violators accountable. Last year, CHP officers issued almost 18,000 citations to drivers speeding over 100 miles per hour. Speed is a factor in approximately 30% of all crashes and major contributor to traffic fatalities and injuries. It is particularly dangerous because it decreases reaction time, extends stopping distance, and intensifies the severity of crashes.
The CHP is currently positioning the first 25 SMPVs in various regions across California. All 100 high-performance patrol units will be strategically placed along California’s busiest, high-risk roadways by June.