Contact:
Major Ernesto Duarte
Florida Highway Patrol
850-617-2301

For Release July 13, 2007:

TALLAHASSEE - Colonel Chris Knight, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), today announced the results of an aggressive driving crackdown conducted in Miami-Dade and Hillsborough Counties from July 10 through July 12, 2007. The campaign was launched due to a growing concern over aggressive drivers in the Miami and Tampa areas, which were recently ranked #1 and # 16 in a nationwide survey in aggressive driving. This effort is part of a long-term traffic safety campaign that focuses on varying traffic themes considered high-priority in the quest to help reduce deaths and injuries on Florida’s roadways.

"Aggressive driving has become all too common, not just on Florida roads and highways, but all over the country," said Executive Director Electra Bustle. "It is time for all motorists to slow down. It's time to be courteous and respectful to each other. Doing that will help cut back aggressive driving incidents," Executive Director Bustle added.

"We have received numerous letters and emails from citizens and visitors complaining about aggressive drivers in every part of Florida, particularly in urban areas," said Colonel Knight. "As a result of the increasing numbers of these types of complaints, we have asked our ten Troop Commanders throughout the state to dedicate every resource available to identify and cite, or in some cases, arrest individuals who are placing other motorists at risk as a result of their aggressive driving behavior," Knight added.

The FHP used unmarked Mercury Marauders and marked vehicles to conduct two unannounced operations targeting aggressive drivers. Enforcement totals from the 4-day operations in Miami-Dade and Hillsborough Counties included the following:

The Patrol is planning to deploy similar unannounced aggressive driving operations throughout the rest of the year depending on specific enforcement needs.