Airborne patrols generate 328 traffic citations

6/20/2004

Toledo police said yesterday that their latest two-day airborne speed-enforcement effort resulted in 382 motorists being stopped.

Some 328 of them received traffic citations. Many of the others got off with warnings, traffic Sgt. Al Papenfus said.

A total of 367 charges were filed, of which 327 were for speeding. One speeder was clocked at 94 mph. There were 13 seat-belt violations, six drivers without valid driver's licenses, and 21 miscellaneous infractions, he said.

It was the third such aerial traffic enforcement effort near the Ohio-Michigan line since late April, Sergeant Papenfus said.

The state line has been targeted because drivers often fail to slow down upon entering Ohio. Michigan's interstate speed limit is 70 mph. Ohio's is 65 mph upon entering the state but quickly drops down to 60 mph upon entering the Toledo city limits, he said.

Aerial surveillance was used to help officers on the road identify motorists to stop. Twenty-two officers were involved in the effort on Thursday. Sixteen were involved Friday.