U of M Study: People Don't Mind Big Brother

Minneapolis, Minn. - By the number of drivers who contest their traffic tickets, you'd think there'd be total distain for the number of squad cars on the road.

Not so.

It turns out, perhaps the opposite.

What a new study is really saying is people are more open to different kinds of enforcement to keep themselves and others safe.

One group that knows that very well is the State Patrol.

"The charger right now is one of the most effective tools that we have," says Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Scott Wahl.

When Wahl goes to work, he goes in style.

The State Patrol has five of unmarked Dodge Chargers out on the roads, and troopers use them to sneak right up on people breaking the law.

"There's a term- 'trained observer.' That's what we are. We are looking for violations."

Speeders, seatbelts, anything really- it doesn't take Sgt. Wahl long to find one this Satruday.
The Charger does have a fault, Wahl says. It can't be everywhere. 148 people have died on Minnesota roadways this year. Many were not wearing seatbelts... just 148 reasons, perhaps, why many people are supporting more traffic safety policies.

According to a new University of Minnesota national survey, 82 percent of people are all for sobriety check points.
88 percent are for ingniton locks for convicted drunk drivers. 88 percent also support graduated driver's licenses so young drivers can gain experience behind the wheel before going out on the road. 72 percent say you should get pulled over and ticketed for not wearing your seatbelt.

As far as enforcing speed limits and seatbelt laws, people are in favor of using automated cameras to catch violators, though when you ask about using undercover cars like the Charges you get mixed signals.

"I'm not for the use of undercover cars," one driver told us. "I don't think it's right to trick people."

"I think people should be accepting of this," another driver said. "It's keeping the roads safer for them. That's the bottom line."

So think of this as fair warning. Sgt. Wahl is out there. Even if you don't notice him, he's looking at you.

"We're sneaky with those things," he says. "Put that seatbelt on everytime you get in the car."