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Published on Thursday, December 23, 2004
in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
Drivers beware. State troopers are spreading their own form of holiday joy on Florida's major thoroughfares. The joy of staying alive.
But aggressive drivers, speeders and tailgaters may be wishing they got a lump of coal instead of one of the many tickets that will be issued.
The Florida Highway Patrol kicked off its two-day ticket-giving campaign, "Operation Safe Ride," on Wednesday. Targeting aggressive and hazardous drivers, the FHP is hoping to set a tone for safe driving during the upcoming holiday travel weekends.
Troopers will be issuing tickets to get their message across. Drivers should expect zero tolerance.
"We're focused on getting families home safe during the holidays," FHP spokesman Lt. Tim Frith said.
Nearly 3 million Floridians will hit the roads during the holiday season, AAA said Wednesday.
All 10 FHP offices are participating in the effort, focusing on every interstate, Florida's Turnpike and other major state roads that have been identified as havens for unsafe driving.
Troopers also will be out in full force during Christmas and New Year's weekends, suspending office duties to saturate the roads with troopers.
They'll be using unmarked Mercury Marauders, the FHP's weapon of choice against Florida's dangerous drivers. Planes also will circle above Palm Beach County, helping troopers on the ground.
Last year, 43 people died in car crashes statewide during the Christmas and New Year's holiday periods, officials said.