The California Highway Patrol used the closure of a portion of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County Thursday evening as an opportunity to crack down on speeding drivers.
Officers with the Buellton-area office conducted a speed enforcement operation on Highway 101 near Highway 154.
In just over an hour, officials say nine speeding citations were handed out and two written warnings were issued.
They say the location was chosen due to the highway's closure for the Real Fire near El Capitan Canyon.
"Speeding is never ok, but it's especially important to slow down, be vigilant, and travel at the posted speed limit when there are uncontrollable hazards which cause the freeway to be closed," CHP said in a social media post.
Buellton-area officers have been cracking down on speeding drivers in recent months, holding multiple enforcement detail operations in the area and citing dozens of drivers for various violations.
Another was held Friday on Highway 246 near Solvang.
CHP says eight people were stopped for various violations involving speed, cell phones and seatbelts. One commercial truck was impounded and safety inspections conducted on more than 10 commercial tour buses, according to CHP.
