Mississippi adds muscle car to fleet

Tpr. Luke Harrington has only positive comments
about the performance of his new Dodge Charger.

The Dodge Charger was a response to the fastback fad started by the Mustang and the Barracuda, but on a much larger scale. Based on the midsize Dodge Coronet model, the Charger was launched in 1966 and quickly became a hit with its dramatic styling of 1968. From the beginning, if packed serious muscle, from the 318 V8 to the almighty 426 Hemi.

And now, the Mississippi Highway Patrol has a few of these updated monsters on the roads of Mississippi, 22 of them to be exact, put into service in November.

There are two Chargers in each of the nine districts, as well as four being used by senior officers statewide, with nothing but praise flowing in from the officers driving the Chargers.

Troopers driving the new muscle machines report that performance, handling, and visibility with the motoring public are all pluses.

“[Driving the Charger] makes catching up to a car much easier than in a Crown Vic, and [it] is able to stop much quicker than before,” said Tpr. Luke Harrington. “Evasive actions are able to be taken much quicker and with more certainty. I was able to dodge a piece of loading ramp that was in the highway, which would certainly have caused damage had I been operating a Ford.”

Now, only time will tell how the new Chargers stand up to the punishment and hard driving required of Mississippi troopers as they enforce the laws of the state.

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