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Published on Thursday, November 18, 2004
in the AM850

FHP, Alachua County police team up on traffic safety

Motorists in Alachua County should expect to see more officers on the road tommorrow as the Florida Highway Patrol begins Operation ACE.

The initiative is in response to the increase in traffic fatalities in Alachua County, from 29 deaths last year to 45 already this year. Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Mike Burroughs says officers will be looking for people speeding, not wearing their seatbelts, and driving unmaintained cars. The FHP will be working with local law enforcement to increase the visibility of officers on the road. Typically, there are about 3 FHP officers on Gainesville area interstate system but during the operation at least 30 more officers will be on the road. Burroughs says drivers should expect to see more marked cars, but unmarked cars and aircraft speed operations will be used also. Operation ACE begins Friday morning at eight and continues into Saturday morning.