If you are among those driving an estimated 44,000 cars and trucks along a mile-and-a-half long stretch of Interstate 80 in Trumbull County each day, you’ll be seeing more than State Troopers on the freeway.

This week, the Weathersfield Township Board of Trustees approved having the township police department enforce traffic and other laws along the stretch of interstate. The new ordinance gives the local police the authority to ticket drivers for speeding or other driving infractions along I-80, however, Weathersfield Trustee Steve Gerberry told 21 News that the resolution's intent is not to patrol I-80, but rather to be able to assist motorists in need before the State Highway Patrol arrives on the scene.

The vote was made possible by a new law signed by Governor Mike DeWine allowing police in some communities to operate on Interstate Highway Systems.

Since Weathersfield has an access point to I-80 at Salt Springs Road, and the township has a population of between 5,000 and 50,000, the community is eligible under the new law to have its police department patrol the interstate.

Weathersfield Police Chief Mike Naples told 21 News earlier that the law allows them to help in instances where someone may be stranded, or traffic is bottled up.