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Published on Saturday, July 3, 2004
in the Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - Law enforcement officers will take to Florida's roads in full force this holiday weekend looking for speeders, aggressive drivers and motorists who don't buckle up.
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Larry Coggins said 200 additional troopers on motorcycles and in marked and unmarked vehicles will be on patrol until midnight Monday.
Planes and helicopters also will be in the air monitoring traffic along the interstates, bridges and parkways, Coggins said.
``The increased visibility that our troopers have provided during previous holiday periods has provided immeasurable benefits to the motoring public,'' said FHP Director Col. Chris Knight.
Coggins said during Fourth of July weekend last year, 25 people died in traffic crashes in Florida. Of those, 43 percent were not wearing seat belts. And alcohol was involved in half those crashes.
Coggins encouraged motorists to call *FHP, or *347, on their cell phones to report drunken, aggressive or dangerous drivers. Callers can remain anonymous.
Motorists who have car trouble or break down on the highway also can call *FHP for help.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Rod Reder said the sheriff's office also will have additional deputies on the roads, with special emphasis on U.S. 301, Falkenburg Road and Erhlich Road.