Why does the California Highway Patrol drive 2 different color cars?

Californian State laws decrees that all traffic enforcement units must have a WHITE door on each side that contrasts with the other vehicle color and makes it easy to see. Thus CHP uses "black and whites".

The exception to this rule is their Commerical Vehicle Enforcement section which uses "all white" vehicles sometimes called "snow balls". These units specifically focus on heavy/commercial vehicle enforcement and offences though they can still enforce offences relating to any other vehicle. They made these vehicles all white so they are harder for truck drivers to spot.

Californian State Law:

Title 13. Motor Vehicles (Refs & Annos), Division 2. Department of the California Highway Patrol, Chapter 5. Special Vehicles, Article 5. Color of Traffic Law Enforcement Vehicles, § 1141. Color Requirements.

Each motor vehicle shall have a distinctive exterior finish, exclusive of wheels and trim, as follows:

(a) Vehicles Except Motorcycles.

Vehicles, except motorcycles, shall be painted:

(1) Entirely white; or

(2) White, except that an area not less than and including the front door panels shall be black; or

(3) Black, except that an area not less than and including the front door panels shall be white; or

(4) Any other color, with any color front door panels.

(5) The indicia or name of governmental entity operating the vehicle shall be displayed in sharp contrast to the background on the front door panels and shall be of such size, shape, and color as to be readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet.

(b) Stripes. Painted or decal stripes may be used provided that the stripe does not interfere with the contrast or legibility of the indicia or name of the governmental entity operating the vehicle.

(c) Motorcycles. Each motorcycle shall have one of the following finishes:

(1) Entirely white; or

(2) The sides of the tank and fenders shall be white or the fenders may be entirely white or entirely black; the remaining portions of the motorcycle, which normally receive a painted or enameled finish, shall be black, white, or a combination of black and white, except that these surfaces may have a sharply contrasting accent color overlaying the predominant black and/or white background; or

(3) Any other color.

(4) The indicia or name of governmental entity operating the motorcycle shall be displayed in sharp contrast to the background on the sides of the fairing or tank and shall be of such size, shape, and color as to be readily recognizable during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet.

Note: Authority cited: Section 2402, Vehicle Code. Reference: Section 40800, Vehicle Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment filed 4-8-77; designated effective 5-9-77 (Register 77, No. 15).

2. Editorial correction adding NOTE filed 4-28-83 (Register 83, No. 18).

3. Amendment of subsections (b) and (c)(2) filed 8-31-93; operative 10-1-93

(Register 93, No. 36).

4. Amendment of first paragraph and subsection (a)(4), new subsection (a)(5),

amendment of subsection (c)(2) and new subsections (c)(3)-(4) filed 6-2-2008;

operative 7-2-2008 (Register 2008, No. 23).

5. Amendment of subsection (b) filed 7-8-2010; operative 8-7-2010 (Register

2010, No. 28).

13 CCR § 1141, 13 CA ADC § 1141

This database is current through 8/13/10 Register 2010, No. 33

California Highway Patrol Cars

1

Policecarwebsite

i've been surfing more than 2 hours today searching for answer to the same question, and I haven't found a more interesting debate like this. It is pretty worth enough for me.

One is a high speed pursuit car to bring clucky wives with a bun in the oven back to their husbands who ran off with California Policemen! The other's only for catching speeding motorists? Unless Errent eloping MILFs are welcome back?

One's a Traffic Unit car, and the other is an ordinary panda car.

White ones are commercial vehicle enforcement.