Troopers patrolling in semi-trucks

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- Several Indiana State Police posts and the State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division teamed up for "Trooper in a Truck" patrols that began Wednesday.

This partnership puts state troopers in semi-trucks as they search for drivers who are not following the Hands-Free Law.

Troopers say this gives them a new approach to spotting drivers on their phones while not being seen in their marked vehicles.

“Most aggressive drivers if they look in the rear-view mirror and see the scowl of our dodge chargers behind them, they’re going to drive pretty decent. This gives us a chance to see how people are driving around commercial motor vehicles when they don’t know we’re there,” said Sgt. Ted Bohner of the Indiana State Police.

The first day of this operation resulted in 19 tickets and 37 warnings on the Indiana Toll Road.