Indiana State Police troopers conducted a traffic enforcement blitz on I-80/94 in Lake County during the overnight hours of Friday morning and made dozens of traffic stops for speeding.

Troopers were focused on enforcing the work zone speed limit that is in effect eastbound as vehicles enter Indiana from Illinois. The posted work zone speed limit is 45 mph. Troopers on both day and late shifts have been taking an increased number of crashes in this area.

In six hours of dedicated patrol, eight troopers made a total of 47 traffic stops which resulted in 18 criminal defendants (five felony arrests) and a total of 27 criminal charges.

Of those arrested, four were for Operating While Intoxicated, one of the O.W.I. defendants had a child in the vehicle.

Four motorcyclists that were traveling together fled from the troopers as they attempted to stop them. Three of the 4 motorcyclists were located and were arrested. Additionally, several other violators were charged with Reckless Driving due to their extreme high speeds in the construction zone.

Speeders were being clocked from 80 to over 100 mph during the blitz.