Denver police are cracking down on drivers who make illegal lane changes and cut in line on the interstate.

Police kicked off stepped-up enforcement Tuesday morning, giving 56 tickets on Interstate 225 at the DTC Boulevard exit, most of them to drivers making illegal lane changes that cut off backed-up traffic. Some tickets were also given to drivers passing on the right shoulder.

“I know you’re not supposed to cross the solid white line, but everyone does it,” said Michelle Martinez, who was pulled over.

Cutting in line ahead of cars waiting in a traffic jam can be illegal and frustrating to motorists who obey the law, officers said. It can also be dangerous and lead to road rage, police warned.

One indication of how bad the problem is: More than 160 accidents have been reported at the I-225/DTC exit in the past three years, said Denver police Sgt. Kevin Edling.

“When it’s backed up, (people) don’t want to wait, so they get in the right (exit) lane and go up about a mile and pass everyone and then cut over before the exit,” Edling said.

When drivers do that, traffic has to slow down to let vehicles over, and, especially during times of high-volume traffic, it presents a safety hazard.

“By them stopping (in the exit lane) to get over, it stops everybody else too,” said Denver police Officer Dennis Thompson.

A Denver police study found Tuesday to be the worst day for traffic during the morning commute, with the heaviest volume from 7:15 to 10 a.m.

“So have your coffee early and give yourself that extra couple of minutes,” Edling said in a roadside news conference as he cautioned drivers to be “calm, cool and collected.”

Next week, officers are going to be focusing on westbound I-70 and southbound I-25 at the Mousetrap.

Those caught will face a $100 ticket and 3 points assessed to their driving record.

Philip Duran said he did not know crossing the solid white line or passing on the shoulder was illegal.

“I was just trying to get around the guy who was trying to get over to the other lane,” Duran said. “He was going too slow.”

Martinez said she learned her lesson, but for some other drivers, it’s all about not getting caught. Duran said he would “probably do it again.”

Bianca Davis: 303-954-1698 or bsmith-davis@denverpost.com