The New York State Police are joining several other states in adding Ford Mustang GT speedsters to their fleet. One reported reason for this is to catch drivers who purposefully run from police to get views on social media. These drivers, called “swimmers,” do such dangerous things to get views.

The term “swimming,” according to Panda Car Talk, refers to drivers “cutting up traffic, bobbing and weaving across lanes, lane splitting, taking shortcuts, all at a high speed.” These “swimmers” will also drive in bicycle lanes and on sidewalks, run red lights, drift, and initiate high-speed police chases.

While doing these things, they film their antics using action cameras and cell phones. They then share that footage on social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, X (Twitter), and Reddit.

The New York State Police are coming for the ‘swimmers’

The Autopian recently discovered that the New York State Police have added a Ford Mustang GT to their fleet. A post in a Facebook group about the Taconic State Parkway tipped off the website to this addition.

“Per the trooper I spoke to (troop K), they are tired of being dusted in chases even in their V8-powered chargers,” a group member wrote. “There are several popular YouTubers who make a living running from the cops across the nation, and the biggest of them happen to be in NY. Let that be a warning to you, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, but better come with enough ponies & car control to do what you want to do.”

The group member added, “Oh & to the ‘swimmers’ in here (if you don’t know what that is, this doesn’t concern you), they absolutely watch social media. When you post your videos, they can and do see them. Apparently, one of you ran from them in the last few weeks and got away, but this new platform is expected to mitigate some of these pursuits that end because the suspect just outruns the current fleet. You can expect at least one ‘stang per zone dedicated to traffic enforcement duties & a bit of a recruitment tool.”

The New York State Police confirmed Ford Mustang GTs are coming

The Autopian confirmed most of this with Beau Duffy, the New York State Police’s executive director of public communication. They do have a Ford Mustang GT police cruiser, and they plan to get more.

“The New York State Police will be adding Ford Mustang GTs for traffic enforcement on high-volume interstates and highways,” Duffy confirmed.

So, while they won’t be anything like Dubai, the New York State Police will be ramping up their speed. And they aren’t alone. Florida, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and other states are also getting in on the fun.