The Department of Public Safety troopers increase presence on U.S. Highway 181

U.S. Highway 181 brings a huge amount of traffic through Portland on a daily basis. Law enforcement is keeping an eye on all that traffic.

Commuters sure have noticed. Here’s what they said.

“You take your life in your hands and having that presence there helps secure your safety,” Portland resident Shirley Sorsby said.

Sorsby and her friend Lisa McArthur live in Portland, but they often go over the bridge.

“I was on the bridge the day of the wrong way driver when that accident happened and two people got killed. It makes you aware of the dangers we face,” Sorsby said.

Over a year ago, KRIS 6 News began investigating fatal accidents on the Harbor Bridge, and that investigation revealed at least eight people had died due to wrong-way drivers.

That investigation prompting big changes, one of which includes this increased trooper presence.

“I’m also aware there have been other wrong way drivers over the years although they might not have killed anyone,” Sorsby said.

To Sorsby and her friend Lisa, the increased speed enforcement along U.S. 181 makes them feel better.

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