COLUMBIA -- Columbia police set up a speed trap on the busiest travel day of the year.

Officers used radar guns on the Providence Road pedestrian bridge over Interstate 70 to catch speeders racing down the highway on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Officers on the bridge used a two-way radio to relay the description of the violator to officers in cars near exit ramps.

Police administrators say the purpose of their speed trap is not handing out tickets.

They want to make things safer for motorists.

Columbia police officer Brian Tate said, “Absolutely, this is about safety. We’re trying to ensure that everybody arrives at their destination safely and to educate people that they need to be attentive to their driving.  Our goal is to not stop anybody, basically. Unfortunately, that’s not realistic. We’re going to be out here stopping excessive speed violations, unsafe lane changes and just other hazardous violations.”