ADDISON COUNTY — Local drivers may have seen more Vermont State Police troopers on the highways lately.
During the latter half of last week and the first half of this week, state police increased traffic enforcement efforts and traffic safety messaging statewide as part of our response to a tragic week of highway fatalities.
Locally, Vermont State Police troopers conducted saturation patrols:
•  On Aug. 10 in Lincoln and Bridport. Police made nine stops and arrested one person for DUI.
•  On Aug. 10 on Routes 7 and 22A in Addison County. Police said they “encountered” 12 vehicles during the morning and 22 vehicles during the day shift and issued numerous tickets.
•  On Aug. 11, during the evening, on Route 7. They stopped six vehicles for violations, stopped two vehicles that were reported through 911 calls to be driving aggressively, issued four tickets for using electronic devices while driving and screened two persons for impairment.
•  On Aug. 12, during the daytime, on Route 7 in Addison County. Police stopped 28 vehicles and issued tickets or warnings each time, including eight for use of electronic devices.
•  On the evening of Aug. 12 troopers from the New Haven barracks joined with the Addison County Sheriff’s Department, Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department and Shelburne police to conduct a saturation patrol in New Haven on the last night of Addison County Fair and Field Days. Law enforcement stopped 44 vehicles and arrested one person for DUI.
•  On Aug. 13, during the daytime, on Route 7 in Salisbury and Leicester and on Route 22A Addison, Bridport and Shoreham. Police stopped 13 vehicles and issued 10 tickets.
•  During the evening of Aug. 13 in Ferrisburgh with Vergennes police. Stopped 12 vehicles for violations and arrested one for DUI.
•  On Aug. 14, during the afternoon, on Route 116 in Middlebury and Bristol; stopped seven vehicles resulting in three traffic tickets and four written warnings.
•  On Aug. 14 in Ferrisburgh, which led to four stops, two tickets, two warnings and one person arrested for driving with a criminally suspended license.