The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) collaborated on developing a pilot that is testing an innovative way for FHP to respond to reports of minor vehicle crashes on the CFX system. When a driver calls *347 (*FHP) to report a crash, the dispatcher will now assess the incident and determine whether it meets the criteria for the new “Desk Trooper Program.” If the crash is minor and the motorist agrees to use the program, secure interactive technology with remote interface capability will allow a trooper to view the scene virtually, evaluate the vehicle damage, and interview drivers and witnesses. The program “aims to decrease roadside risk, help clear incidents more efficiently, minimize traffic disruption and improve highway safety for all motorists,” according to a CFX news release. The agencies will gather feedback on the pilot over the next two years.
FHP Major Mark Castleberry commented “With the Desk Trooper program, we’re bringing advanced technology directly to the roads, improving safety and freeing up critical resources for higher-priority incidents. Motorists can now resolve minor crashes faster than ever, making our highways safer and more efficient for everyone.”