Hot trucks: The State Trooper's Perspective

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - It might be a fast track through the Midwest, but as Indiana State Troopers discovered, it's also a fast track to potentially dangerous food. A fast track otherwise known, as Interstate 65.

"You can just take a look at I-65 and realize that there is just a tremendous amount of traffic that comes through there 24 hours a day," said Indiana State Police Sergeant Rich Kelly.

Among that traffic? Hot trucks.

In a 10-month period, from October 2011 to the end of July, 26 hot trucks were cited due to potentially unsafe food.

Of those 26, a total of 14 were stopped in counties that lie alongside I-65. One in Lake, six in Clinton, and seven, or half, were stopped right here in Tippecanoe County.
    
"Most of these vehicles that get loaded are loaded from wholesalers in the Chicago area," said Kelly. "They provide that product all the way down to Indianapolis, south of Indianapolis, and then move their way into Ohio and down into Kentucky."

Yet, Kelly said it's not just the trucks traveling southbound on I-65 violating safe temperature standards. He said many of the southern wholesale distributors load their product in the Louisville area and take I-65 north.

Just six months ago, changes to the state law allow troopers like Sgt. Kelly with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, to pull hot truck drivers over and give them a ticket without needing to call a health department official.

"I think we are one of the only, if not the only, state that has gone to the extent that we have," said Indiana State Police Captain David Bursten.
    
Yet, Kelly said it's a recurring problem. One he said they've been trying diligently to stop, but one he said has been carrying food to your dinner plate for longer than you may know.

"The hot trucks have been on the road for years." said Kelly. "I mean, there is no doubt that this problem has been an issue since the vehicle was instituted."