Patrol beefed up in I-75 construction zone

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 1:57 AM Thursday, June 10, 2010

Drivers, beware: Motorcyclists in a construction zone on Interstate 75 may have a radar gun.

State troopers have stepped up patrols in the 12-mile construction zone from Montgomery County through Warren County to the Butler County line. Serious crashes and fender benders are a frequent occurrence in the zone, prompting stepped up enforcement, according to Sgt. Anthony Lauer of the Lebanon Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Two to three troopers on motorcycles will patrol the construction zone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Those are peak crash times, Lauer said.

A federal grant is funding the traffic enforcement effort, which began May 1.

“It is much easier for the motorcycles to maneuver in the construction zones with the barriers and equipment,” Lauer said. He noted the highway patrol stopped using motorcycles in the mid 1950s, but reinstated them about two years ago.

Troopers are watching for aggressive driving, specifically those speeding, weaving in out of lanes and following too close.

“Our goal is not to write 500 tickets, our goal is to slow people down and reduce crashes,” Lauer said, noting even just a small accident can shut down the interstate, causing headaches for commuters.

The speed limit in the construction zone is 55 mph and troopers have been writing citations for motorists driving 30 and 35 miles above the speed limit, Lauer said.

“We are increasing our presence on the interstate to keep everyone safe,” Lauer said. He noted motorist will not likely miss troopers standing beside their white cycle pointing a radar into traffic and hopefully will not chance a costly ticket, which doubles in construction zones.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.

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