Police crack down on Spring Break speeders

Posted: 03.22.2013 at 5:35 PM

Columbia police officers are working overtime this weekend as they crack down on speeders leaving town for Spring Break. / Mark Slavit

Columbia police officers are working overtime this weekend as they crack down on speeders leaving town for Spring Break.

The Columbia Police Department Traffic Unit is increasing enforcement on I-70 during Spring Break to reduce traffic crashes. During last year’s spring break, I-70 had the most crashes of any roadway in the City of Columbia. Police are also trapping speeders on Highway 63. Some of them were traveling more than 80 miles per hour in a 60 mile per hour zone.

Traffic Unit Supervisor Sgt. Curtis Perkins said, “We have an officer on top of the ramps of the highways. They have laser units checking to see if people are driving too fast or following too closely. They radio officers in vehicles waiting on the ramps. The officer then goes and stops the vehicle.”

A grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division is paying for the overtime for this Spring Break traffic enforcement.

There are a lot of people in Columbia in a big hurry to get out of town for Spring Break. However, Columbia police said they are catching speeders from all over the country. Officers stopped one motorist with Minnesota license plates.

Perkins said, “It’s more than just the people who live in Columbia. I-70 and Highway 63 run through Columbia. We have a lot of traffic that comes through town.”

Perkins said you will have a safer Spring Break if you slow down, don’t be distracted with cell phones, wear your seatbelt and never drink and drive.

Related Links

		Holts Summit man dies in county road crash
		Drunk driver leads Callaway County deputy on chase
		Are the risks too great for high speed chases?

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