Illinois State Police District 17 plans to conduct speed patrols in La Salle County on select interstates, U.S. and state highways during April.

On March 22, speed patrols were set up on Interstate 80, Interstate 39 and Route 71. Forty-eight arrests were made and 12 written warnings were issued. Forty-two of the citations were for speeding. One driver was cited for driving while license suspended.

The speed patrol program involves a combination of increased enforcement and public awareness, which strives to increase compliance with traffic laws. A special emphasis is placed on speeding, failure to wear a seat belt and other traffic laws related to traffic crashes and fatalities.

The patrols are funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.