An example of an unmarked police car, this unit is similar to what Corpus Christi police department will soon begin using to patrol traffic. Courtesy photo
Traffic officers will soon hit the streets of Corpus Christi in unmarked cars in an attempt to lower the number of traffic fatalities. As of July 24, when City Council approved the second and final readings of the ordinance, the city had recorded 21 fatal traffic accidents. That’s twice the number of fatalities at the same time last year, said Chief of Police Mike Markle.
The amendment to existing city code came at Markle’s request. He said the addition of unmarked cars change the way people drive. Dangerous drivers will be more likely to slow down and less likely to make unsafe lane changes if they know police are out there.
“We don’t really catch the aggressive drivers because they don’t drive that way when they see a marked car,” Markle said the City Council meeting July 24.
When the unmarked cars are first on the road, they will be accompanied by marked units to help in case a driver doesn’t immediately pull over. Officers in the unmarked vehicles will be in uniform and equipped with spotlights, lights and sirens.
For drivers worried about being pulled over by an unmarked car, they should be sure to stop in well-lit or populated areas, Markle said. The department will be making public service announcements to let people know the unmarked police cars are out there on patrol.
The practice is used in San Antonio and other big cities and has effectively decreased the number of traffic accidents.
