Irving Police are taking steps to end road rage and aggressive driving, following an increase in deaths from road-related incidents across North Texas.
The department’s driving unit has added two new “unmarked” vehicles that will target hostile drivers. The gray-colored Chevy Tahoes are subtly marked as police vehicles to help them blend with traffic.
“Everyone can see a squad car a mile ahead, so you change your driving habits,” said Irving Police spokesman, Officer Robert Reeves.
He added, “We want to catch individuals in the act of road rage, cutting people off, tailgating, brake checking, waving a gun in hostility.”
The new look of the Tahoes is intended to assist police in catching those driving erratically.
The squad cars are designated for use by the new Aggressive Driving Enforcement Unit once it launches later this year.
In 2021, the City of Irving had twenty-one fatal accidents, eight more than in 2020.
According to Reeves, the city tends to see more deaths related to driving while intoxicated (DWI) than road rage incidents, but police will be monitoring for all forms of dangerous driving.
Punishment for aggressive driving offenses may be more severe than before, ranging from tickets to car impoundment to jail time.
“Persons in our community should know that if you get pulled over for being one of these suspected aggressive drivers, your car may be looking at getting towed to the pound,” said the officer. “You might be looking at going to jail for a Class C offense that you might have gotten a ticket for, and you’re going to be getting probably more than one or two tickets.”
Anyone speeding, swerving through traffic, or riding too close to rear bumpers could face these consequences.
Officer Reeves encourages all drivers to be more patient so as not to endanger the lives of others while on the roadways.