MONROE — Washington State Patrol troopers are now watching out for speeders, aggressive drivers and drunks on U.S. 2 not only on the ground, but also from the air.
A single-engine airplane on Thursday morning flew over the Skykomish Valley, spotting aggressive drivers on the highway between Monroe and Sultan. The pilot in the Cessna 182 talked over the radio with four troopers on the ground, who stopped the drivers.
“We are trying to be very aggressive and very innovative,” said Kirk Rudeen, one of the four troopers.
It was the first time the State Patrol had used an aircraft to crack down on those who don’t obey road rules on U.S. 2 between the two growing cities, Rudeen said.
Rapid growth in the area has increased traffic on the two-lane highway. Troopers don’t have much room to maneuver when they need to chase or stop speeders, drunks and aggressive drivers, Rudeen said. An aircraft makes their job more efficient.
The State Patrol’s attention and effort make a big difference improving safety on U.S. 2, said Sultan City Councilman John Seehuus, a founding member of the U.S. 2 Safety Coalition, a grass-roots group of local residents, officials and business people.
“I think it’s long overdue and very greatly appreciated,” Seehuus said.
Troopers are paying close attention to U.S. 2, on which 45 people have died in accidents and crashes between Snohomish and Stevens Pass over the last eight years, according to state accident data.
The highway has gained attention from state leaders, thanks to aggressive and persistent efforts by residents to make the road safer. Gov. Chris Gregoire toured the highway on Sept. 11 and vowed to fix it. A month later, the governor announced that U.S. 2 would be designated a safety corridor, making it easier to secure federal money to improve safety on the highway.
About $3.6 million will be spent in 2008 to install center line rumble strips on the highway between Monroe and Stevens Pass to help prevent crossover crashes.
At least four troopers are patrolling U.S. 2 all day, Rudeen said. In addition to using an aircraft, the State Patrol plans to add a few troopers on the highway over the next few months, using part of its overtime money.
“If you drive on Highway 2, expect to see a trooper,” Rudeen said.
It’s bad and impaired drivers who cause crashes, Rudeen said. In 2006, troopers on U.S. 2 arrested 260 people suspected of driving under the influence and stopped 7,298 people suspected of speeding and 854 suspected of aggressive driving.
On Thursday, the Cessna crisscrossed above the highway between 6 and 8 a.m. During that time, troopers on the ground stopped eight drivers; five of them got tickets for speeding, Rudeen said.
At 7:22 a.m., Rudeen got a message from the aircraft and stopped a Sultan driver heading toward Monroe. The driver was trailing a semi-truck too closely.
You’ve got to pay attention to your driving,” he said. “There’s little room for error” on U.S. 2.
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