Solano California Highway Patrol officer M.A. Willford said he would have laughed if a year ago someone had told him he could patrol Highway 12 between Suisun City and Rio Vista for one hour and not write a single speeding citation.

Yet that's exactly what happened Friday, as the notoriously dangerous and deadly highway is undergoing a significant safety crackdown.

A $1.1 million state grant offered in January is now kicking into effect, meaning Highway 12 from San Joaquin County, through Sacramento, Solano, Napa, and Sonoma Counties will be saturated with highway patrol officers.

"In the past, we would have had one, maybe two working our section in Solano County," said Williford. "Now, there could be a minimum five, even six during our enforcement."

Highway 12, a once rural road that linked delta communities, is now a major commuter route. Even though it is only two lanes with no shoulder for mile after mile, motorists would be routinely clocked at 85 and 90 miles per hour.

On Friday, radar did pick up one vehicle going 77 miles per hour. Because the car was traveling in the opposite direction, Williford wasn't safely able to turn his patrol vehicle around and launch a pursuit. However, most drivers stayed within the 50 to 60 mile per hour range.

"I don't want to jinx myself and my fellow officers, but we have had a change in the attitude of the drivers, a change in the behavior as far as people are driving out here," said Williford.

Caltrans has also made some major improvements along the road by installing cement barriers and plastic posts down the median. Headlights are required to be on at all times, and traffic fines are doubled.

Motorists who frequently travel Highway 12 said they have noticed traffic is moving slower. "It's a lot safer, I think," said Clint Lind of Modesto. "I think it's good the CHP did that."

"I think it's had a big impact," said Mike Ball of Modesto. "People who don't travel the road are usually sorry if they go over the speed limit."

The highway patrol plans to stagger its special enforcement schedule for different times on different days, although holiday weekends will receive special attention. The grant provides for the beefed-up enforcement at least into 2009.