WARREN COUNTY, Mo. — Some Warren County commuters noticed the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) using aircraft to assist with traffic enforcement along Interstate 70 on Tuesday.
Commercial truck driver Michael Axton is delighted. He said he has witnessed multiple crashes in construction zones in Warren County.
“I’m glad there’s some kind of enforcement action being taken to help,” Axton said.
Sgt. Andy Gadberry of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the enforcement operation targeted an area where multiple crashes were reported.
“We’ve had problems since construction started on Interstate 70 in Warren County,” he said.
Gadbury said the aircraft allows ground troops to focus on conducting traffic jams in safe areas. Construction zones often have narrow lanes and no shoulders.
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“We were able to sit on the other side of the construction zone while the aircraft checked for vehicles passing through the construction zone and then radioed the troopers on the ground to make sure they were behind the correct vehicle,” Gadbury said.
Warren County resident Justin Wyatt applauded the effort. He said too many drivers were speeding and violating traffic laws.
“Just stick to the speed limit, which is 55km/h as it says,” he said.
Gadbury said some speeders on Tuesday said they had no idea construction speed limits were still in effect even though construction workers weren’t present.
“If you see signs that say this is a construction zone and you see signs that say 55 miles per hour speed limit, or whatever the speed limit is through a construction zone, if those signs are up, that’s an active zone,” Gadbury said.
“As long as speed limits are followed, everyone can get back to their families safely,” Axton added.
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