Drivers along Route 66 in Washington Township got a surprise Wednesday when they drove past what appeared to be a PennDOT worker — but actually was a state trooper monitoring their speed.
Police say 25 people were cited and four others were given warnings.
The ruse was part of Operation Yellow Jacket, a partnership between the state police and PennDOT in which state police officers are stationed on the side of the road in a PennDOT truck, wearing a construction hard hat and clothing in an effort to catch people speeding.
"Speed is usually a top factor in all fatalities," said Lt. Rich Quinn, commander with the state police in Greensburg.
PennDOT spokesman Jay Ofsanik said the program allows speed enforcement in areas where it may be hard to fit a police vehicle. And it helps make drivers aware of speed in construction zones.
"It helps us in our work zone safety," Ofsanik said. "The thing we want people to realize is: the next time they're going through a work area where there (are) PennDOT workers and they see somebody on the side of the road in a PennDOT truck, it might not be a PennDOT employee — it could be another trooper."
During the operation, once a driver is clocked over the speed limit, the trooper in the PennDOT truck will radio to other troopers stationed farther up the road the description of the vehicle and how fast it was going. Those other officers in a marked police car pull the speeder over and conduct the traffic stop.
Police say 25 people were cited and four others were given warnings.
The ruse was part of Operation Yellow Jacket, a partnership between the state police and PennDOT in which state police officers are stationed on the side of the road in a PennDOT truck, wearing a construction hard hat and clothing in an effort to catch people speeding.
"Speed is usually a top factor in all fatalities," said Lt. Rich Quinn, commander with the state police in Greensburg.
PennDOT spokesman Jay Ofsanik said the program allows speed enforcement in areas where it may be hard to fit a police vehicle. And it helps make drivers aware of speed in construction zones.
"It helps us in our work zone safety," Ofsanik said. "The thing we want people to realize is: the next time they're going through a work area where there (are) PennDOT workers and they see somebody on the side of the road in a PennDOT truck, it might not be a PennDOT employee — it could be another trooper."
During the operation, once a driver is clocked over the speed limit, the trooper in the PennDOT truck will radio to other troopers stationed farther up the road the description of the vehicle and how fast it was going. Those other officers in a marked police car pull the speeder over and conduct the traffic stop.
Ofsanik said they chose Route 66 to hold Wednesday's event because there have been three fatal accidents along the road this year.
That's compared to four fatal crashes that occurred there the last five years combined.
"We're very concerned," Ofsanik said.
Washington Township Police Chief Scott Slagle said he welcomes the help to get drivers to slow down.
"This road is notorious for speeding," he said.
Along with speed, Slagle also pointed to distracted driving as a factor in many crashes.
"People are doing too much other than driving," the chief said.
About 8,600 motorists drive the road daily.
Although Wednesday's Operation Yellow Jacket was publicized in an effort to draw safety awareness in the area, troopers could be stationed along any road at any time.
"Our main goal is the safety of everyone on the highways," Quinn said. "We are hoping that this small event might raise awareness for those people traveling on the highway to slow down."
That's compared to four fatal crashes that occurred there the last five years combined.
"We're very concerned," Ofsanik said.
Washington Township Police Chief Scott Slagle said he welcomes the help to get drivers to slow down.
"This road is notorious for speeding," he said.
Along with speed, Slagle also pointed to distracted driving as a factor in many crashes.
"People are doing too much other than driving," the chief said.
About 8,600 motorists drive the road daily.
Although Wednesday's Operation Yellow Jacket was publicized in an effort to draw safety awareness in the area, troopers could be stationed along any road at any time.
"Our main goal is the safety of everyone on the highways," Quinn said. "We are hoping that this small event might raise awareness for those people traveling on the highway to slow down."
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