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Published on Friday, February 27, 2004
in the Tallahassee Democrat
The Florida Highway Patrol has more patrol cars on the highways than ever in an effort to stop aggressive drivers in response to growing concerns over road rage.
The agency planned to use 1,500 marked cars, 300 unmarked cars, motorcycles, video cameras, radar and airplanes Thursday and Friday to track irresponsible drivers on all Florida interstates, Florida's turnpike and other major state roads.
Complaints about aggressive and angry drivers weaving in and out of lanes, tailgating and speeding prompted the program, dubbed "Operation Safe Ride." The program is putting more patrol cars on the roads than at any other time in the agency's history, Lt. Pat Santangelo said.
Law enforcement officials hope to raise awareness before the roads become crowded next month with families and college students on spring break and motorcyclists in town for Daytona's Bike Week.
Last year, aggressive drivers received 6,643 citations, up slightly from the year before.
State Rep. Irv Slosberg said the problem of aggressive drivers needs more than a two-day effort.
"It's all over I-95. It's all over the turnpike. It's prevalent everywhere," said Slosberg, vice chairman of the House highway safety committee. "This is just two days and after that, everyone's going to forget it."
Slosberg wants better salaries for troopers to encourage them not to leave for other police forces.