The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has unveiled a fleet of new patrol vehicles designed to blend more inconspicuously into traffic, enhancing their capacity to tackle the persistent issue of reckless driving on the state’s highways.
This latest initiative introduces 400 specially marked patrol vehicles (SMPVs), equipped with advanced features to stealthily monitor and enforce traffic laws.
Announced via social media, the deployment of these vehicles marks a significant step forward in the agency’s ongoing efforts to curb dangerous driving behaviors, which have been likened to “video game-styled” antics on the roads. According to the CHP, these new vehicles include 100 Dodge Durangos which are part of a larger strategy involving the current fleet of Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers.
The SMPVs are distinct in their appearance, featuring a range of colors such as the classic black and white, and the newer “destroyer gray,” and “night moves” colors – a strategic choice intended to make them less noticeable in regular traffic. Each car is adorned with traditional CHP markings in sharp contrast on the doors, which are only visible upon closer examination.
What sets these vehicles apart is their “360-degree concealed” light package, which remains hidden until activated during enforcement, thereby reducing the likelihood of drivers spotting the patrol cars from a distance. This tactical advantage allows CHP officers to observe and act on reckless driving practices more effectively.
California, with over 390,000 accidents annually and nearly 1,000 daily reports of reckless driving, sees a significant challenge in road safety.
Last year alone, CHP officers issued nearly 18,000 citations to drivers who were caught speeding over 100 miles per hour. High-speed driving significantly contributes to both the occurrence and severity of traffic collisions, which is why the introduction of SMPVs is seen as a crucial measure to enhance control and prevention.
“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 first batch of 25 SMPVs will be deployed across various regions in California this week, with plans to strategically place all 100 units along the state’s most congested and high-risk roadways by June.
The CHP urges all motorists to adhere to speed limits, avoid aggressive behaviors, and share the road responsibly as part of collective efforts to ensure safety for all road users.
CHP is deploying the next generation of Specially Marked Patrol Vehicles—distinctive colors with a version of the traditional CHP markings in sharp contrast on the doors. These SMPVs support efforts to stop reckless and dangerous driving.#CaliforniaHighwayPatrol #SMPV pic.twitter.com/t8hGfMlEyN
— CHP Coastal Division (@CHP_Coastal) May 8, 2025
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I see a downside that I’m not really ok with. I’m 100% on board with getting more reckless drivers off the road, but there’s sort of a “gotcha!” law enforcement edge to this that’s kind of disturbing. I know the CHP works hard to keep roads safe and it’s an intensely difficult and dangerous job to say the least. Mad respect for them, but this move makes it seem like they’re more interested in punishing people than they are in encouraging public safety. I mean, they’ve always had plain-clothes LEOs and unmarked cars, and they serve a vital purpose. We need them, too. But police cars were painted that two-tone pattern with the protruding lights and antennas so they’d stand out and be recognizable on purpose. There’s a public safety advantage in my opinion, to cops being instantly recognized by everyone as agents of law enforcement. How many times have you checked your speed or spacing, or put your phone away when you saw a cop in the next lane? When people see a cop in their rear view mirror, they tend to pay more attention to what they’re doing and drive better, which is safer for everyone. And the CHP knows this to be true, otherwise they wouldn’t feel the need to be in stealth mode to catch bad drivers. They probably will catch more bad drivers, which is good, but I think simply by being highly visible they generally improve the driving habits of a lot more drivers, which may be even safer. Idk, I just want to know when police are on the road with me, without having to be able to see their side doors.
My thoughts as well. I know that growing up in CA we knew the CHP was into games. They used airplanes, clocked miles by using markers on the roadside, lay in wait behind trees and hillocks and ticketed really small violations. They also focused on certain areas that were friendly to the CHP and hostile to “tourists” traveling on the highways. King City was notorious. BTW, I thought the CHP was prohibited from using “unmarked” vehicles except for enforcement against semis. What happened to that rule? Are they saying these are “marked” but under the radar?
RHS – You and others complain about CHP that “lay in wait” when you don’t even know what they are doing. Do you complain about cops that hide, “lay in wait” in vans, businesses, houses or any other form of concealment to conduct a surveillance to determine whether or not people are engaged in illegal activity? And you complain about what the CHP may be doing sitting in a (marked) car that could have a negative impact on you. Why don’t you go to the police commission and let them know you don’t like some of their cops hiding in an attempt to do their job?
True. And do you remember when CHP officers on patrol actually would stop to help someone who had a problem? I’m in my ’80s and can remember when they did that. But now they seem to stop only when they pull someone over to issue a ticket. I see them drive past cars that are broken down, flat tire, etc. And we often see them parked on an on-ramp or side of the road waiting for someone to ticket.
Anon – How do you know drivers on the side of the road that appeared to need assistance hadn’t already been contacted? There is nothing illegal with cops parked “on an on-ramp or side of the road -.” How do you know they are waiting to cite someone? Many reasons they could be parked. I’ll guess if you were speeding you slowed down when they were seen:) If nothing else you probably made sure you maintained the legal speed limit, right? Cops just can’t catch a break from many of you clowns on this site. You would likely be the first ones to complain you couldn’t see a CHP car behind you if you received a ticket from the CHP.
At least locally, they do stop to investigate cars parked along freeway frontage roads in remote areas, and those on the shoulders of roads they patrol. Both the CHP and SB Sheriff do this, especially late at night.
Why would you post full on photoshoots of your “stealth” vehicles lmaoooo
I’ve been saying this for years. It’s great to see it. But… couldn’t they be a bit more inconspicuous? I mean why even have “CHP” on the side? And ditch the rear antenna.
I don’t see any problem revealing the new CHP units. People know well marked PD units are running around town and they still choose to commit various violations and get caught. Nothing like the day when local cops were running around with that red light that looked like a “gumball machine” stuck on top of the car. “Car 54” where are you?
We want them marked for the same reasons we want police and other law enforcement identified, in uniform, without masks and on the record. The recent resort to anonymous, masked and furtive enforcement agents is a real sign of growing totalitarianism in our society.
RHS – absolutely! This new trend of plain clothed, masked cops, especially ICE, is concerning. Why demand protestors not wear masks but require cops to? What are they afraid of? Being ID’d while violating people’s rights?
As for CHP enforcement, open and visible police presence is the best deterrence. People snap to when they see a cop. Why wait until a crime is committed and put others in danger to sneak up on bad drivers when they could just deter and avoid the bad behavior?
Police states are not free, nor are they safe.
We don’t need secret police.
How much are the taxpayers going to be paying for these stupid things? Stealth my eye LOL.
How about you guys just get out there more? Fine with getting more cars and officers on the road, do it! But these paint jobs are a joke. I see people driving like absolute morons, putting peoples’ lives at risk daily in my commutes and NEVER see a cop around, black and white or not.
Get more cars, more cops and get it done. Then we can talk about “stealth paint” lol!
I like it. Keep enforcing our laws, speeding and reckless driving included. If you aren’t breaking laws you will have nothing to worry about.
No one is worried about getting busted. The concern is the waste of money and the adoption of “stealth” policing when they could’ve spent the same money on more cars and cops to be out there on the roads, visible and deterring crime. Reckless driving puts people in danger until you get stopped. Seeing a cop behind you stops you from even starting. That’s my point.
BI – Boy, is that ever a quote from a fascist POV.
Agreed. Follow the rules of the road. I get the feeling a lot of these comments are from drivers who think it’s okay to speed, yak/text on a handheld device, tailgate and so on —- so long as they don’t get caught.
MINI – well, you should maybe read the comments again.
Sacjon: “The lady doth protest too much, methinks”
BEES – No one really cares what yethinks. Read the room.
One of your best “comebacks” ever!
Yeah, DOOLIES, Frank Costanza smacking his son is the epitome of violence. You totally nailed my intent there LOL
Why not just put up cameras like in some of the big cities, and all over Europe? And have AI notify a human who issues a ticket? Repeat offenders do jail or have license revoked.
Oh yeah, because CHP needs 100 new cars fresh off the factory
I recently drove in Europe after many years and was shocked by how much drivers have improved. Credit goes to the speed cameras. I get people hate the idea but you can’t argue with the results.
I think a speed camera and license plate reader with a marked car down the road could easily spot the bad guys and create the halo effect on the good guys. Zero gas milage too.