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Published on Tuesday, February 25, 2003
in the Pensacola News Journal
24-hour patrol coincides with spring break
This Friday, Strike Force 98 will boost patrols of the major roadways in Northwest Florida for 24 hours in search of speeders, and reckless or drunken drivers.
"Our sole purpose is to reduce the number of injuries and fatal crashes," said Lt. Tommy Moore, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol. "We are trying to do at least one (Strike Force 98) per month, but with spring break, we are hoping to do some additional days."
Friday will be the fifth Strike Force 98 event and marks the start of spring break season, when Moore said schools let out and "youth and inexperience are at the wheel."
Thirty-nine law enforcement agencies in Northwest Florida will work together along U.S. 98 to make the roads safer, Moore said.
"During spring break we are going to have an influx of people traveling, and Fridays are big traveling days," Moore said. "We are hoping to have enough of a presence on the major highways, so they will know we are taking this seriously."
Since Strike Force began in August 2002, deaths on Northwest Florida roads have declined slightly. During 2002, 189 people died on Northwest Florida roadways compared to 201 deaths during 2001.
Gulf Breeze Police Department Chief Peter Paulding said U.S. 98 is the place where most of Gulf Breeze's accidents occur.
"U.S. 98 has a huge impact on our community," Paulding said. "The vast majority of our traffic is on 98, and it's where we get the most congestion and the most crashes."
Paulding hopes Strike Force 98 encourages drivers to comply with traffic laws.
"The vast majority of motorists are law abiding citizens, and they like to see us making the roads safer," Paulding said.
Gulf Breeze resident Ben Rogers supports the effort of Strike Force 98 during spring break because it raises awareness.
"It seems to be people who aren't from this area (who are speeding)," Rogers said. "You can always tell when they zoom right by us."