The Ohio State Patrol will step up its enforcement efforts on U.S. 35 starting March 1.

A press release said the patrol will strictly enforce crash-causing violations such as failure to yield, improper passing or lane changes, unsafe speeds and following too closely along with safety belt and child restraint violations.

The patrol said U.S. 35 is consistently a top crash route in Montgomery and Greene counties. Their increased presence is designed to reduce fatal and injury crashes, arrest impaired drivers, apprehend wanted felons and stop the transportation of drugs and weapons.

“Traffic enforcement is one of the tools to accomplish this objective,” said Xenia Post Commander Lt. Marty Fellure. “Through this effort, troopers are encouraging voluntary compliance with traffic laws, while examining each motorist contact for indicators of illegal criminal activity.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.