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New SUVs will make Motor Vehicle Investigators
safer and allow them to give better service

Motor Vehicle Investigators (MVIs) will now perform their diverse jobs more safely and efficiently by driving new Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles.

“The MVIs were using Chevy Impalas for our mobile appointments,” Motor Vehicle Investigator CJ Williams said. “With these vehicles there were limitations. Many locations during the winter were unreachable using the Impalas. This caused customers and counties in remote locations to be delayed in completing their appointments or required them to travel to our district locations.”

Williams is pictured at left with new SUVs.

Hauling the needed equipment in the Impalas also posed a challenge. Each SUV will have a hard-mounted LaserJet printer, a 1000w inverter and a laptop mount in the front seat. Additional equipment used on a regular basis by the MVIs include a laptop, cordless drill, drill charger, hammer, metal stamps, rivets, rivet punch, wire brushes, metal files, coveralls, flashlights, title applications, blank paper, gasket remover, handy-wipes, first aid kit, fender protectors and in some cases a typewriter.

“The installation of the printer, inverter and laptop mount has greatly reduced the amount of time required to complete an appointment in the field,” Williams said.

Nine SUVs will be deployed over a 12-24 month period. District 3, 1 and 6 MVIs will be issued the first three SUVs, with the other districts cycling out their Impalas. Williams credits Jeff Rados in ITD's Mobility Services for his assistance on the project.

“MVIs are aiming to be completely mobile capable, able to serve the public year-round at any location that has moderate cell coverage,” Williams said. “The locations that MVIs are required to travel are at times remote and over difficult terrain or less-than-safe road conditions. Both the 4WD capability and the increased ground clearance improves the safety of the MVI as well as the service we can provide the customer.”