Going a little bit too fast during the Monday commute on Interstate 565 through Madison County proved to be costly for a lot of drivers.

Police officers and sheriff’s deputies from Huntsville, Madison and Madison County stopped 140 motorists, issuing 104 citations and 79 written warnings between 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Officers and deputies from the three agencies saturated I-565 from Wall Triana Highway to Chapman Mountain and said they zeroed in on aggressive drivers pushing well beyond the speed limit.

One motorist was clocked at 129 miles per hour in a 70-mph zone according to a Madison County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post. Huntsville Police said another motorist was caught going 97.

“This isn’t just about speeding – it’s about the very real consequences of reckless driving,” said Huntsville police Chief Kirk Giles, in a news release. “Through our Summer Slowdown initiative and this collaboration, we’re reminding drivers that speed kills. Enforcement is just one piece of the puzzle. The real goal is changing behavior before a tragedy happens.”

The corridor is used by commuters to Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park and manufacturing employers in west Huntsville. Much of the highway is a construction zone as part of the Alabama Department of Transportation’s $41.8 million widening project.

“We’ve seen firsthand how lives can change in an instant because of reckless speeding,” Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner said. “Our goal isn’t to write tickets, it’s to save lives. When agencies come together like this, it sends a clear message: slow down, drive responsibly, and help us keep our roads safe.”

This joint enforcement effort is part of a broader commitment by local law enforcement to prioritize roadway safety and reduce speed-related crashes as traffic increases throughout the summer.

“In the spirit of inter-agency cooperation, this joint enforcement event highlights law enforcement’s commitment to public safety in general and traffic safety in particular,” Madison Police Chief Johnny Gandy said. “Each of the major law enforcement agencies in Madison County came together with a common goal to ensure safe roads for the motoring public and to reduce senseless speed related crashes that, far too often, result in serious injuries or death.”

Alabama state troopers are also cracking down on speeding on Interstates as part of “Operation Southern Slow Down.”