Law Office of Kenneth E. Crocken

Troopers crack down on drivers

State troopers were busy over the Labor Day weekend, conducting 80 percent more traffic stops than last year and writing more than 20,000 tickets, warnings and repair orders, the department said.

Troopers arrested 202 motorists for DUI -- 15 percent more than last year -- and 167 for other criminal charges. State police drug investigators also made 83 drug arrests and served 32 search warrants. They recovered almost four pounds of powder and crack cocaine, as well as stashes of hydrocodone and marijuana.

Troopers investigated 193 crashes, down 11 percent from last year.

Col. Thomas E. Hutchins, state police superintendent, ordered more than 1,400 troopers to take to the roads, canceling leave and deploying those not normally assigned to patrols.