State Police to concentrate traffic enforcement on US 231 in Spencer County

ByNews Release Reading Time: 2 minutes

Spencer County:  In light of all the crashes that have occurred on US 231 in Spencer County, Lieutenant Don Bolen Commander of the Jasper District is directing the troopers at the Jasper Post to concentrate their traffic enforcement efforts in the area.

“Although we have been working the area since the roadway opened we will be spending more time targeting those drivers that commit traffic violations that commonly lead to crashes.  Our crash data tells us that drivers failing to yield the right of way and disregarding the stop signs are leading violations in these crashes,” said Bolen.

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According to the Indiana State Police Special Operations Section from May 1, 2010 to August 24, 2011 there have been 37 crashes on US 231 from I-64 in the north to State Road 70 in the south.  Of those 37 crashes 24 have been from driver’s failing to yield the right of way and several of those crashes have occurred after the driver’s have crossed one set of traffic lanes.

Drivers are reminded that the correct way to cross US 231 is to first, stop at the stop signs.  Once the path is clear, proceed across one set of traffic lanes to the median, then yield and re-evaluate the oncoming traffic before continuing. Drivers must also remember that the vehicles traveling on US 231 have the right of way and that the speed limit is 60 mph.  This means that vehicles traveling on US 231, if they are traveling the speed limit, are traveling approximately ninety (90) feet per second.

Remember the following safety tips when crossing any four lane highway:

  • Obey all Traffic Control Devices
  • Limit Distractions
  • Constantly Scan the Area
  • Remember that one set of traffic lanes travels one direction and the other set travels the other direction so look BOTH ways before starting across
  • Yield and Re-evaluate after crossing one set of traffic lanes
  • Look, Look and Look Again before proceeding across

“The goal is plain and simple, to reduce the number of crashes and the number of people getting hurt and killed on the new US 231,” said Bolen.  “Having to cross a four lane divided highway is a new concept in this area and drivers must use due diligence when traveling on or across it.”

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