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More Troopers in West Texas
More Troopers in West Texas 8/30/12
jsamp@cbs7.com
CBS7 News
August 30, 2012
Expect more troopers in the West Texas area.
The Department of Public Safety says the increase in crashes and traffic in the Permian Basin is prompting the agency to call for backup.
"The most challenges that a trooper will face in west texas is the immense amount of highways we have and the distance we travel between locations," said Trooper Baxter who knows first hand what its like on our highways. He says in 14 years he's never seen the roads this busy, and distracted driving is a growing problem.
The Department of Public Safety Representatives say they are bringing in more troopers from El Paso to the Basin and more task forces to concentrate problems such as drunk driving and speeding.
"Majority of the time people will put their seat belt on and obey the law when they see black and white towards them, passing them, or sitting on the side of the road," Baxter said.
He says technology helps when he is on duty.
"I can do everything here that I always used to have to go back to the office and do," Baxter said.
Troopers not only enforce the law, but conduct crash investigations. Trooper Baxter says he can do his paper work on the laptop while keeping an eye on drivers' speed.
"As a high way patrol man I can do my reports right here, like my crash and DWI reports," he said.