Expanded partnership enhances highway safety by providing drivers with an additional option to report minor crashes in time for busy holiday travel season.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) are expanding their partnership to launch the first-of-its-kind Desk Trooper, an innovative program enabling troopers to respond to minor car crashes virtually through interactive technology.
Through the ‘Desk Trooper’ program, state troopers can interact virtually within minutes with those involved in a minor crash, allowing for immediate, detailed crash assessments and documentation, all from a secure, remote interface. The program builds upon the long-standing partnership between FHP and CFX to ensure safety for Central Florida drivers. It aims to decrease roadside risk, help clear incidents more efficiently, minimize traffic disruption and improve highway safety for all motorists.
“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,” said Major Mark Castleberry, Florida Highway Patrol. “Motorists can now resolve minor crashes faster than ever, making our highways safer and more efficient for everyone.”
When a driver calls *347 (*FHP), the dispatcher will assess the crash over the phone and determine whether the minor crash meets the criteria for the Desk Trooper program. If the motorist agrees to use the program, the technology will allow the Desk Trooper to connect virtually to view the scene, evaluate vehicle damage, and interview drivers and witnesses. FHP and CFX will pilot the program over the next two years and gather feedback.
“We’re thrilled to expand our long-time partnership with FHP to make Desk Trooper a reality for motorists on our roadways,” said Michelle Maikisch, executive director of CFX. “This innovative approach to helping drivers on our system who are involved in a crash will allow us to address minor incidents quickly, maintaining smoother traffic flow and reducing risks for drivers on CFX roads.”
Click the link below to learn more about the Desk Trooper Program:
https://www.cfxway.com/for-travelers/projects/desktrooperprogram/