Pocono News Section

Operation Smooth Operator Targeting I-81

Operation Smooth Operator Targeting I-81 - Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 4:43PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 @ 04:43pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- State Police are on the ground and in the sky along a stretch of Interstate 81 making sure drivers obey the speed limit.

It's part of Operation Smooth Operator. They've increased patrols in what they call a traffic safety corridor. It's in a 12 mile section of I-81 running form Nuangola to Pittston.

If you're caught speeding there fines are doubled. State Police say it's all a matter of safety. Trooper Marty Connors said, "What we want to teach people is if you travel the speed limit there's a better chance you're gong to get where you need to go safely. Also the amount of time that you save doesn't translate into the risks that you take."

And there's no getting out of it. Troopers say helicopters clock your speed, then radio cars on the ground who pull you over.