Troopers and Planes Team Up to Crack Down on Speeders Along I-71 in Ashland County
ASHLAND COUNTY – If you’ve sped down I-71 from the county line recently, chances are you’ve been in the crosshairs of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) — both on the ground and in the skies.
Today, troopers from the Ashland Post of the OSHP have set up shop at the busy entrance ramp, backed by the agency’s powerful Aviation Unit. Their mission: catching motorists who treat the 70 mph speed limit more like a suggestion than a rule.
With summer temperatures rising, so too are the speeds—and tempers—on I-71. The heat may be making the asphalt sizzle, but it’s also fueling what troopers say is a surge in reckless driving behavior.
It seems, the hotter the weather, the hotter the tempers and the faster the cars, people are putting the pedal to the floor and racing into trouble.
The stepped-up enforcement comes amid concerning crash trends along the I-71 corridor in Ashland County. According to statewide OSHP data, high-speed crashes and fatalities continue to be a public safety issue. While Ohio has recorded fewer traffic fatalities so far in 2025 — 454 compared to 537 at this time in 2024 — troopers say there’s still significant work to be done.
So far this year, OSHP reports:
22,069 distracted driving violations
27,901 seat-belt enforcement cases
7,023 OVI arrests
1,477 drug-related violations
Speeding remains a top factor in serious crashes, and aviation-assisted enforcement is proving to be a key tool in curbing it.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Section is a force multiplier in these operations, using a fleet that includes 13 airplanes and 3 helicopters piloted by 11 highly trained flight crew members. From above, pilots identify speeding vehicles and radio descriptions and locations to ground units waiting below.
The aviation unit uses white lines painted on roadways as timing markers. As a vehicle passes each marker, the pilot calculates its speed over a set distance. Once confirmed, troopers on the ground move in for the stop.
“The goal is not to write more tickets, but to save more lives,” OSHP said in a statement. “Speed is a leading cause of fatal crashes, and we’re committed to doing everything we can to prevent another tragedy.”
As the summer driving season continues, so too will the heightened enforcement presence—especially in high-risk areas like I-71 through Ashland County.
Motorists are urged to obey posted speed limits, stay alert, and buckle up. Because when it comes to road safety, the eyes in the sky are always watching.
