Have you ever seen those “Speed enforced by aircraft” signs and thought they were just a tall tale? Well, they’re real, and law enforcement is indeed using planes to catch speeders. It’s a surprising twist to how we usually picture police on the ground with radar guns.
In states like California and Colorado, the police have dedicated planes to monitor highways. For instance, the California Highway Patrol uses fixed-wing aircraft to spot speed violations. The Florida Highway Patrol also employs planes, and others like Ohio and Wisconsin are in on the action, too. Missouri, with its aerial enforcement since the late 1950s, has honed this method effectively.
So, how does Missouri manage this from 2,000 feet? Here’s the fascinating part. The Missouri State Highway Patrol conducts aerial surveillance flights in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Before enforcing the speed limits, MoDOT workers mark the roads with white blocks spaced one-eighth of a mile apart. This allows police in the air to time how fast a vehicle travels between the markers using a stopwatch.
If a car makes it from one block to the next too quickly, the air patrol relays the information to ground officers, who intercept the driver. In 2025 alone, Missouri completed over 40 flights specifically targeting speeders in construction zones, averaging about seven citations per flight. Most offenders are usually clocked at 11 to 20 mph over the limit.
This aerial strategy faces mixed reactions. Some see it as a clever way to enforce speed limits; others argue it’s outdated and costly. States like Virginia and New York have even scrapped their aerial enforcement programs due to high operational expenses.
A study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that speeding contributes to about 30% of traffic fatalities. This fact highlights the ongoing need for innovative solutions to improve road safety. While using planes may seem old-fashioned, it shows how law enforcement adapts to keep our roads safer.
So, next time you spot one of those signs, remember: they aren’t just for show. Police up in the skies may be watching closer than you think!
