A coordinated operation among four Midwestern states aims to crack down on highway safety from Dec. 6-10. Dubbed “Eyes on 94,” the program seeks to reduce commercial vehicle crashes along the I-94 corridor, an area prone to weather-related collisions involving interstate commercial vehicle drivers this time of year.

Specifically, Michigan State Police (MSP) motor carrier officers will join officers from the Indiana State Police, Illinois State Police, and Ohio State Highway Patrol in focusing their enforcement on I-94 and other major freeways in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.

Multi-state commercial vehicle enforcement initiatives allow neighboring states to align their resources to collectively focus attention on safety concerns involving interstate traffic.

During the initiative, law enforcement will be looking for violations by commercial drivers that are most likely to cause or contribute to a collision. For example, high priority offenses will include distracted driving, following too close, improper passing, speeding, and improper lane use.

The overall objective of the weeklong crackdown is to boost traffic safety and reduce collisions.

The “Eyes on 94” initiative is part of the statewide Drive Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety campaign, which is based on the national strategy on highway safety that seeks to reduce the number of traffic deaths nationwide. An estimated 20,160 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021 — up 18.4% over 2020 and the largest number of projected fatalities in that time since 2006.