What are "ghost cars" and why are they in Harris County?

Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables are first to introduce ghost cars

HOUSTON – Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables are the first of all the precincts to introduce "ghost cars."

Each ghost car, which is a rigged out Chevy Caprice, will have a full set of police graphics, lights and sirens. It's called a ghost car because reflective graphics blend into the cars' paint making the car difficult to spot.

We got an exclusive look at them in action. Their goal is to catch drivers pushing dangerous speeds.

"Most of the citations we write I can tell you are 15 to 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. So you kind of get the behavior of how people are actually driving out there you know in the presence of an unmarked patrol car," said Mark Herman, Assistant Chief, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.

The Harris County Toll Road Authority is funding the ghost cars.

"I can tell you that in the short time we've had this particular ghost car and two deputies assigned to it they have increased their traffic contacts by 46 percent," Herman said.

Whether you notice them or not, deputies just want you to slow down and drive safe on the roads.

"We want to keep the roadway safe and do not violate the law because just because you don't see a marked patrol vehicle doesn't mean those patrolmen aren't out here," said Herman.

The ghost cars are now on the road. They've been in effect for the last seven days.


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