Law enforcement agencies participating in Operation MOLE

The Florida Highway Patrol’s Troop F – Venice District hosted its first unified agency initiative called Operation MOLE (Move Over Law Enforcement) to rally fellow law enforcement officers to combine efforts to save their own lives out on our state’s roadways. This operation, spear-headed by Trooper Edward Pope, involved all law enforcement agencies throughout Charlotte and Sarasota Counties, and included members from the Florida Highway Patrol, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Punta Gorda Police Department, North Port Police Department, Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, Venice Police Department, Sarasota Police Department, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Operation MOLE pulled area resources and allowed officers to focus enforcement of Florida’s Move Over Law, which has been in effect in Florida since 2002. Officers issuing citations for Move Over Law violations reminded drivers that the law requires all motorists to vacate the lane closest to an emergency vehicle that has emergency lights activated on all multi-lane roadways, or if they are unable to vacate that lane, then they must reduce their speed by 20 MPH below the posted speed limit. Violators of this law can expect a moving violation with points added on their driver license.

The Operation, which ran from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for two days and included a breakfast and lunch for all participating officers provided by the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary, was a huge success. During the two day operation, officers from the two participating counties produced a total of 567 contacts, which included the following:

210 move over citations

1 drunk driving arrest

1 drug arrest

2 warrant arrests

72 speed violations

15 seat belt violations

82 other citations

172 warnings

25 faulty equipment citations

Great job by all agencies involved!