Operation Yellow Jacket — Speeding Ticket Frenzy
Are state police about to launch a 30-day speeding ticket blitz?

Claim: Police in some U.S. state are about to launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy.
FALSE
Example: [Collected via e-mail, May 2005]
New Jersey will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy. The state estimates that
They are the following:
I-295 north and south
1-95 (Jersey Turnpike) north and south
1-80 east and west
I-287 north and south
I-78 east and west
I-195 east and west
1-280 east and west
Rt. 130 north and south
Garden State Parkway north and south
Now 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every
So be safe and don’t forget speeding tickets are on you.
You’ve been warned.
Origins: We
first encountered this warning about a supposed 30-day state police “speeding ticket frenzy” employing unmarked patrol cars in mid-May 2005, when it came to us as an
No news outlets reported a
Officials say motorists should get accustomed to tougher enforcement on the two highways. The surge in summonses stems from the hiring of an extra For the first time in several years, the police forces on the toll highways are near what officials consider optimal levels —
The number of summonses issued between March and May [2005] — a total of 45,930 on the two toll roads — is
Nonetheless, this same basic warning has been recirculated on the Internet every year since then, sometimes multiple times per year, in versions listing different states and different dates (as collected in the Variations section below). These repetitions all follow a pattern of announcing a “30-day speeding ticket frenzy” (often said to be named “Operation Yellowjacket”), naming
the state (or city/county) in which it will take place, listing a date on which the “frenzy” will supposedly commence, and identifying particular motorways which will allegedly be a focus of traffic enforcers.
Although state troopers will sometimes engage in traffic enforcement details (lasting from a few hours to a few days) which involve extra patrols on targeted highways, we have yet to encounter any case in which one of the unannounced, statewide “30-day speeding ticket frenzies” warned about in
When states do engage in multi-agency efforts to combat drunk and speeding drivers, such as the H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) program or
the I-80 Challenge Highway Safety Initiative, those efforts are typically publicly announced in advance, since two major components of traffic safety programs are motorist awareness of police presence and driver education, and neither of those aspects is facilitated through a “secret” police crackdown.
Barbara “points to ponder” Mikkelson
Variations: In July 2005, the suspect New Jersey warning was modified into one about a particular region in Tennessee:
Tri-Cities will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy on They are the following: Now 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every So be safe and don’t forget speeding tickets are on you. You’ve been warned.
We received this from a friend who got it from a man that he teaches Sunday school with that works at the Bristol police department. Just thought I would pass it on.
I-81 north and south
1-26 north and south
1-40 east and west
At the end of 2005, the same warning was modified yet again to refer to Orange County in southern California:
For those of us who like to drive fast….. California Highway Patrol will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy in South Orange County starting Now 7 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every California Highway Patrol officers is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every You’ve been warned.
Orange County traffic tickets
In mid-January 2006 the warning was morphed once again, this time aiming it at those who live in or near Dallas:
They are the following: Now 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every officer is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every So be safe and don’t forget speeding tickets are on you.
Dallas and the state of Texas will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy. The state estimates that
I-35E north and south
I-20 east and west
75 north and south
635 entire loop
114 east and west
183 east and west
175 north and south
North Dallas Tollway north and south
George Bush Turnpike east and west
360 north and south
In the final week of January 2006 the warning was circulated once again, this time aiming it at those who live in Michigan:
I-75 north and south Now, 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every Wear your seat belt, nothing hanging from the rear view mirror, do the speed limit (not a mile over) use cruise control if you have it, no cracks in your windshield, use your turn signals.
Heads Up for what it’s worth ~just saw this; Michigan will launch a
I-94 (from Ann Arbor to Port Huron)
entire length of I-696
I-275 north and south
M-10 Lodge Fwy
I-96 from Detroit West to M-14
Also in the final week of January 2006, the warning was issued about Honolulu, Hawaii:
They are the following: Now 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every officer is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every
On February 1, the city and county of Honolulu will launch a
H-3 both directions
H-2 both directions
H-1 both directions
Pali Hwy
Likelike Hwy
Nimitz Hwy
Kalanianaole Hwy
Kam Hwy
Farrington Hwy
At the end of January 2006, the warning was issued about Pennsylvania:
For those of us who like to drive fast….. Pennsylvania State Police will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy throughout the state starting Motorists traveling 6 mph or more above the limit will receive a ticket and every State Trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every Pennsylvania has activated 50 new unmarked cruisers of various makes and models for this pilot program to raise extra funds and meet mandated quotas. The Pennsylvania State Legislators dreamed up this program to help offset the additional funding required to hire You’ve been warned.
Warning to Pennsylvania residents about speeding!
In mid-January 2008, the warning was issued about Louisville, Kentucky:
The city estimates that There will be 50 Metro Traffic Officers on duty 24/7 patrolling the following highways AND MORE! I-65 North and South Now, 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket, and every Traffic officer is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every * Wear your seat belt,
Heads Up, In February, We will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy.
I-64 From Shelbyville Rd. to Portland Av
Preston Highway to city limits
* have nothing hanging from the rear view mirror,
* do the speed limit – use cruise control if you have it,
* have insurance papers,
* and use your turn signals!
In mid-February 2008, the Pennsylvania warning reappeared, but it was specific to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Starting today, Pennsylvania will launch a I-279 north and south 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to KDKA and WDVE confirmed all of this. So be safe and don’t forget speeding tickets are on you.
Speeding Ticket Blitz-IMPORTANT INFO
I-376 east and west
I-76 east and west
I-80 east and west
I-79 north and south
I-70 east and west
PA-60
PA-66
US-22
In mid-April 2008, the warning was issued about Portland, Oregon:
Portland will launch a 21 day speeding Frenzy! The state of Oregon estimates there will be I-5 North and south from Woodburn to Delta park 5mph or over can justify a ticket and state troopers are instructed to pull over anyone going 5mph over the limit. OSP has issued Look out speeders!
Alert to Portland drivers!
I 84 Eastbound and Westbound from downtown to I205
I 205 Northbound from I5 to Hwy 84*
*this is where they anticipate highest volume of tickets.
Us 26 WB and EB Sunset Hwy from the tunnel to Cornell
Hwy 217 from Washington Square to I5
Hwy 18 from Hwy99 to Grand Rhone
In June 2008, the warning was updated into a 2008 New Jersey version:
Starting 6-10-08 New Jersey will launch a
I-295 north and south
1-95 (Jersey Turnpike) north and south
1-80 east and west
I-287 north and south
I-78 east and west
I-195 east and west
1-280 east and west
Rt 130 north and south
Garden State Parkway north and south
5 mph over the speed limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to
Radio 101.5 has confirmed all of this.
Driving ticket fine increase in NJ starting
If you jump in the car to run to the store and forget your wallet with your license in it and you are stopped, oh well, you just spent 173.00.
And the fine for not having all three is 519.00.
In August 2008 this version mixing the standard
Look out for Penn dot trucks parked along the road or appearing behind you pacing you, it could be a Trooper driving the truck, it is called ‘Operation Yellow Jacket’ and will be off and on all summer, each district has a truck cleaned up and ready to go! Starting today, Pennsylvania will launch a They are the following: Rte. 1 north and south 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to Driving Ticket fine increase in PA:
Operation Yellow Jacket – Speeding Tickets
Operation Yellow Jacket
PA-220
I-99 north and south
I-95 north and south
I-279 north and south
I-276 east and west
I-376 east and west
I-76 east and west
I-80 east and west
I-79 north and south
I-70 east and west
PA-60
PA-66
US-22 & 322
Starting on August 15th, the price of a ticket for violation of
In March 2009, the Pennsylvania “Operation Yellow Jacket” version was relocated to Michigan:
Called ‘Operation Yellow Jacket’, each Michigan State Police District has a truck cleaned up and ready to go! These trucks have specially-modified engines that can virtually catapult the truck from snow-plow speed to intercept speed in seconds. And when the engine boost kicks in, the warning lights automatically change from flashing yellow to the dreaded red and blue! Starting March 1, 2009, Michigan will launch a I-75, especially from the Ohio line north to Woodhaven, and again from Auburn Hills to Flint. Quotas: Driving Ticket fine increase in MI:
Look out for MI-DOT trucks parked along the road or suddenly appearing behind you pacing you – it could be a Trooper driving the truck.
to wear a seatbelt.
I-96 east and west in its entirety
I-275 north and south
I-675 north and south
I-94 east and west from Battle Creek to Jackson
I-696 east and west in its entirety
I-196 east and west
US-131 north and south
I-69 east and west from Lansing to Flint and again from Flint eastward to Port Huron.
I-69 north and south from I-94 to Lansing
M-14 east and west from I-94 to I-275
M-39 from I-94 to I-96
M-59, especially from Pontiac to Utica , and from Utica east to
US-10 from Midland to Bay City
US-23 from I-96 to Flint
US-27 from Lansing to Mt. Pleasant
5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to
canceled all vacation time. In addition, they are bringing in all of their part timers on full time for the month. This nonsense will conclude on
Starting on January 15th, the price of a ticket for violation of
The state of Michigan put a disclaimer on its web site noting that no such operation was being undertaken by Michigan State Police:
As a reminder, MSP traffic enforcement initiatives always involve a uniformed officer in a marked patrol vehicle. Versions of this e-mail have been circulating in cyberspace for a few years. The recent addition of Operation Yellow Jacket comes from a work-zone safety enforcement effort conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police. Several other states including California, Hawaii, Kentucky,
The Michigan State Police (MSP) wants citizens to know that a widely distributed e-mail message about a
In July 2010 the “speeding frenzy” version was back again, this time customized for Atlanta, Georgia:
I-20 east and west 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to WSB and WXIA & CBS confirmed all of this. So be safe and don’t forget speeding tickets are on you. Look for city and county governments to adopt similar polices in the near future.
Starting Aug 1, Georgia will launch a 30 day speeding ticket frenzy. The state estimates that
I-75 north and south
I-85 north and south
I-675 north and south
GA-985 north and south
GA-316 east and west
GA-400 north and south
(Although Atlanta police will not be launching a
In August 2010 the tale returned to California, this time as a text message: No joke!
Starting Aug 1st, state troopers and CHP will write tickets for 5 miles over the speed limit!!!! The goal 4 them is
Within a few days the abbreviated version had spread via text and email to Louisiana:
August 1st, the Louisiana State Troopers will start issuing tickets to anyone for traveling
and Alabama:
Starting August 1st, State Troopers will write tickets for
Alabama State Troopers
and Maryland:
PLEASE PASS THIS ON, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DRIVE IN MARYLAND YOU MAY KNOW SOMEONE WHO WILL!
Starting August 1st, State Troopers will write tickets for
Last updated: 21 July 2015
![]() | Sources: |
Malinconico, Joe. “Toll-Road Troopers Have Just the Ticket.” [New Jersey] Star-Ledger. 20 July 2005. The Associated Press. “Report: NJ Had Lowest Proportion of Speeding Crashes.” 15 June 2005.