The Dallas Police Department and other DFW law enforcement agencies in North Texas have created a “Road Rage Task Force” to curb violence on roads.
In the face of increasing cases of violence by aggressive drivers across North Texas roads, authorities hope that the task force can increase patrols on streets and highways. These patrols will target speeding drivers, individuals driving aggressively, and those under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
“Over the last several years, police departments across the country have seen an increase in the number of road rage incidents,” Dallas PD Assistant Chief Michael Igo said while announcing the Road Rage Task Force. “Here in Dallas, It’s happening, not only on our freeways but also on the streets that connect directly to the roads where people live and work.”
Igo said the primary purpose of the task force is to cut down on road rage incidents and make the roads safer for those who travel on them.
The Road Rage Task Force consists of officers from the Dallas Police Department, Grand Prairie Police Department, Mesquite Police Department, and Irving Police Department. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office deputies and DPS troopers are also part of the task force.
Dallas Police Officer Robert Reeves said the task force will be provided with extra resources to aid their mission to make North Texas roads safer. He also said that officers will work overtime to achieve their aim.
According to CBS 11 News, authorities said that over 300 tickets have been issued to people who were speeding, driving aggressively, or were believed to be under the influence since the Road Rage Task Force began.
According to the Dallas Police Department, the task force is starting a large-scale operation on March 26. The operation is tagged the “Aggressive Driving Operation” and will have an “increased presence on the streets.”
“These operations aim to increase visibility and deter aggressive driving around the North Texas Region,” the department said in a Facebook post.
Agencies part of the Road Rage Task Force are expected to conduct the operation from their respective jurisdictions.