ROCKVILLE, Md. - Maryland State Police are cracking down on speeders across Montgomery County (web | news) as thousands of travelers head out of town for the holiday. The move is aimed at protecting lives but could it be causing more problems?

At the start of this long holiday weekend, there is an extremely heavy police presence with radar, laser and K-9 set up and cruising I-270. More than a dozen Maryland State troopers are targeting the same area -- the interstate along with the Beltway, positioned only one to two miles apart.

"If it works. There are a lot more important things they could be doing than catching speeders," said commuter Cara Wess.

Wednesday night, we hit the highway with Trooper Steven Weaver, a two-year veteran. Within minutes, he had a violator.

"You were doing 72 in a 55 zone," Weaver told the driver.

The traffic blitz is being called "Operation Centipede", aimed at slowing down drivers during one of the busiest and deadliest weekends on the road.

Lt. Clifford Hughes with Maryland State Police said, "They see another trooper a mile away... that perception is a reality."

Troopers are out in unmarked and marked patrol cars equipped with the latest technology, including E-TIX. E-TIX allows officers to quickly scan driver's licenses rather than having to write a citation.

According to Weaver, "It immediately enters the information."

After four hours, the troopers made 140 stops, including six arrests. Five of those arrests were drug related.

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