Police step up patrols
for spring blitz

Traffic & dangerous driving
violations enforced

Updated: Thursday, 05 Mar 2009, 3:51 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 05 Mar 2009, 1:01 PM EST

  • Seth Conley

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Police agencies are stepping up enforcement during a two-week traffic blitz.
Kim Riley, Indiana Police Sergeant, said more than 250 officers will be stepping up patrol looking for drunk and aggressive driving, as well as seatbelt, child restraint, and other traffic violators.
Beginning March 6 and running through March 22, officers across the state will increase patrols, to make the roads safer this spring.
"You've got the aggressive drivers that are out there trying to pass five cars in a two car lane area and that's what we're trying to deter." Riley said.
This month's blitz will focus on buckling up and keeping impaired drivers off the roads. Nathaniel King, State Trooper, said it's designed to cut down on preventable injury and death.
"They've done studies that show that within 7/10ths of a second death occurs. When you hit an immovable object such as a tree, a non-moving semitruck, you're talking 7/10ths of a second death has occurred."
Officers will also be watching for forms of aggressive driving.
"Following too closely, things that we have shown to be major causes in collisions and fatalities on the road is what we are trying to alleviate for this blitz," said King.
"Rain, rain is another factor," he said. "Even on nice days when it's nice and warm and that rain's falling, you're still going to have a loss of traction, you're going to have to adjust your driving."
King encourages drivers to slow down when conditions call for it. He also said buckling your seat belt is one of the best ways to stay safe behind the wheel.