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Published on Monday, May 17, 2004
in the WJXX ABC25/Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Road rules...we know how fast we're supposed to drive, but let's be honest, many of us look down on our speedometer and notice that we're well over the posted 70 mile per hour speed limit.
Florida Highway Patrol Roger Thomas knows that all too well. Stand next to him along a highway as he's using his laser gun and he'll bark out signals that sound like an NFL quarterback.
"74...77...I got one at 83!" he says as he points at a sedan to pull over.
The number of people driving over the speed limit is racing higher and higher. In 1996, before the 70 mile per hour speed limit, troopers issued 288,132 tickets. In 2003, that number jumped to 411,269 tickets, a forty-three percent increase.
And it's becoming more common for Trooper Thomas to find cars going over 90. Within a 15 minute time-span of his clocking drivers, he found people driving at 83, 86, and then 97.
"Expect high speeds, anywhere from 85 to 100 miles an hour on some days."
He hears all kinds of excuses, but he says he has to set an example.
"I try to save lives, and just be a light to others."
A light, and perhaps a speeding ticket, that might, down the road, save someone's life. He knows the fatality statistics as well. In 1996, 2,550 deaths on our highways...2003, 3,143.
"The price you pay out here, is you either pay with your life, or you pay out of your pocket."