Mo. Highway Patrol targets drunk, speeding drivers
'Selective enforcement projects' focus on Pulaski and Crawford counties.
Published March 12, 2009
Missouri State Highway Patrol announced selective enforcement projects for this month that focus on making roads safer in Missouri.
Troop I of MSHP is conducting two special enforcement operations this month in Pulaski and Crawford counties.
The first phase of the program will be conducted in Pulaski County. A select number of state troopers exempt from normal duties will be commissioned to check for drug impaired drivers and drivers under the influence of alcohol in the county, stated a news release from MSHP.
The second phase of the enforcement program will be conducted in Crawford County. State troopers will try to locate hazardous moving traffic violations during this phase.
The objective of both phases is to decrease traffic crashes and make Missouri roads safer, the news release stated.
Both enforcement programs will be carried out for two days in March, MSHP Sgt. Dan Crain said.
Troopers will also be conducting complementary assignments to apprehend drivers driving above the speed limit.
These programs are part of a year-long effort throughout Missouri counties. The department focuses on those counties where driving while intoxicated, drug impaired driving and hazardous moving traffic violations are most common.
Selective enforcements have been happening for a number of years, and MSHP has achieved success in the past while enforcing similar programs.
Crain said difficulties might arise because success may be measured by the number of arrests or apprehensions or even by the rarity of crimes.
Crain also said the department had been successful in reducing traffic crashes in the past through selective enforcements.
"We have found selective enforcement programs to be effective in making our roads safer, and we will continue these kind of operations in the future," Crain said.