Iowa Troopers Test Voice-Actived Car

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DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa State Patrol troopers are testing a new high-tech system designed to make their jobs a little bit safer.

The $3,000 hands-free system allows them to concentrate on their most critical tasks while behind the wheel during an emergency.

"You gotta fight through all that stuff to flip everything on," said Trooper Marc Griggs with the Iowa State Patrol.

Now, Griggs simply tells the car to "turn on the siren, air horn."

A new piece of electronic equipment controls all emergency and radio equipment in Griggs' patrol car. The Iowa State Patrol is testing the system to see how well it works.

"It keeps your eyes on the road, focused at intersections, oncoming cars, cars pulling out from stop lights. It keeps you from not having to look at your controls," said Griggs.

A State Patrol spokesman said the patrol has no immediate plans to put the technology in all of its 400 patrol cars, but they hope to add more of the systems over the next few years.