Northwest Indiana- With Thanksgiving travel expected to bring a surge of vehicles to Northwest Indiana roadways, troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post conducted a targeted traffic enforcement blitz on Tuesday. The initiative focused on the primary factors that often contribute to serious crashes: speeding, failure to move over for stopped emergency vehicles, and following too closely. While those specific violations were emphasized, troopers remained vigilant for all unsafe driving behaviors.
As evening set in, deteriorating weather conditions, including rain and fog, added to the hazards on the road. Throughout the blitz, troopers issued 36 citations and 55 warnings. A note of encouragement is that no arrests for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) were made during the blitz. Troopers also assisted 15 motorists experiencing mechanical issues such as flat tires and vehicles running out of fuel. In the middle of the blitz, troopers responded to a serious injury crash on I-65 near 61st Avenue, which required extended lane restrictions for investigation and cleanup.
As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend continues, the Indiana State Police urge all motorists to drive sober, remain alert, and show patience and courtesy on the roadways. Traffic volumes typically increase Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning, and troopers want to ensure every family arrives safely.
Lt. Terrance Weems, Commander of the Lowell Post, commented, “As traffic increases this week, our mission is to keep every family safe. We’re out there to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, respond quickly when help is needed, and most importantly, prevent tragedies. We want everyone to make it to their Thanksgiving table without incident.”