Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa — To root out angry drivers, the Des Moines police are getting sneaky.
Some officers will now patrol construction sites along Highway 235 in a Chevrolet Camaro with the word "Police" displayed only on both doors and the rear of the vehicle.
Police fear road rage will be an unwanted byproduct of the $426 million, five-year reconstruction of the highway through Des Moines that started this year.
"Lanes and tempers are going to get narrower," police Sgt. Michael Leeper said. "Drivers keep their ignorance in check when they see a black and white squad car with a big light bar across the top."
So the department spent $21,210 for the 310-horsepower, 2002 Chevrolet Camaro. Police wanted a car that will blend with traffic while they seek out angry drivers.
They want to crack down on tailgaters, finger-wavers and other highway hard-heads. The Camaro will allow officers to spot highway misbehavior as it happens.
Officers said that by the time speeders charge up from behind, they will have been clocked on radar. To further keep lead-footed motorists off balance, police might pace vehicles from behind rather than using radar, which activates detectors.
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