Highway patrol aircraft used in I-70 traffic enforcement

WARREN COUNTY, Mo. – Some Warren County commuters noticed the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) using an aircraft to help with traffic enforcement along Interstate 70 on Tuesday.

Commercial truck driver Michael Axton was pleased. He said he has witnessed multiple crashes in construction zones in Warren County.

“I’m happy that somebody’s doing some kind of enforcement to help,” Axton said.

Sgt. Andy Gadberry, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said the enforcement targeted an area where multiple crashes have been reported.

“We’ve had issues ever since the construction started here in Warren County on Interstate 70,” he said.

Gadberry said the aircraft allows troopers on the ground to focus on making traffic stops in safe areas. Construction zones often feature narrow lanes and lack shoulders.

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“We’re able to sit on the other side of the construction zone while the aircraft checks the vehicles going through the construction zone and then radios to troopers on the ground to make sure they are behind the correct vehicle,” Gadberry said.

Warren County resident Justin Wyatt applauds the effort. He says too many drivers are speeding and violating traffic laws.

“Just follow the speed limit and stay at 55 like it says,” he said.

Gadberry said some of Tuesday’s speeders said they were unaware that construction speed limits are in effect even when construction workers are not present.

“If you see the signs up saying it’s a construction zone, and you see the signs with a 55 miles per hour speed limit, or whatever the speed limit may be through the construction zone, if those signs are up, it is an active zone,” Gadberry said.

“Just do the speed limit and everybody gets to their families safely,” Axton added.

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