Tulsa Police Crack Down On Speeders In Construction Zones

Tulsa Police are cracking down on speeding in construction zones. It's a week-long push that police hope will make drivers more aware and slow down.

Last year in Oklahoma, more than a dozen people died from car accidents in construction zones.

TPD hopes boosting police presence will help save lives.

Construction zones are all over Tulsa, and most are clearly marked with a warning to slow down or face getting a ticket.

"It would be nice if we didn't issue out any citations, but chances are that's not going to happen," said Officer Jeremy Lawson.

11/26/2012 Related Story: Extra Tulsa Police Patrol Cracks Down On Yellow Light Runners

They'll be using unmarked cars and motorcycles to catch speeders in highway and city street construction zones.

Lawson said a major trouble spot is on US Highway 169, near I-244.

"The speed limit for the past year has been dropped down to 50 mph. You can go up there all day long and see motorists who are doing 65, 75 and even 85 mph through there," Lawson said.

So that's exactly what we did. News On 6 rode along with Officer Lawson, and within the first two minutes, we clocked a car going 64 in a 50.

Then we quickly caught two more violators.

"We're going to get that car. It's 50 mph. He's doing 75. He's doing 76 now in a posted 50," Lawson said.

Even if it weren't a work zone, the driver would still be speeding, ten miles over the regular limit.

Lawson said he often hears people ask why they need to slow down if construction workers aren't actually present.

Here's a simple answer: "The problem with this particular area is all the workers are above 169, on the bridge on I-244, where all the construction is going on," Lawson said.

Lawson's advice is to slow down and pay attention, or you could find yourself with a ticket of up to $500 and possibly 10 days in jail.

Police plan to closely monitor work zones through Friday. During this time cops say they will not give out any warnings.

They're strictly writing tickets, so consider yourself warned.