Published on Thursday, March 3, 2005
in the ABC7 News

FHP's CERT team out in force

LEE COUNTY - The Florida Highway Patrol is breaking away from conventional methods and will go to a zero tolerance policy on local roadways. The FHP is cracking down because of the increase in traffic fatalities this year.

"The biggest headaches I find are on 75 and 41," said delivery driver Don Stevens.

Stevens deals with Southwest Florida's dangerous roads.

"They need a lot more enforcement on the major highways, especially 75," said Stevens.

That enforcement will come with a major punch. Beginning Friday, the Community Response Team or CERT will be out in force.

Five of the Florida Highway Patrol's hard-nosed troopers will be in one location working together. If they pull you over, don't even think about giving them an excuse.

"This is a zero tolerance unit. You can expect when you are stopped by one of these members to receive a traffic citation," said Captain Eddie Johnson of the FHP.

State troopers know Interstate 75 and US 41 are two areas they will probably target, but they're not saying where they will be because they want the element of surprise.

This type of action is called selective law enforcement. The troopers will not handle routine calls, their colleagues will do that.

Lee County drivers will see the team most since the county has the highest number of fatalities so far this year.

Troopers demand results and for drivers to change their attitudes.

"The public has got to be tired of dying and seeing death and carnage on our highways in Lee County," said Johnson.

"I just wish people would slow down and pay attention to what's going on here," said Stevens.

If they don't, they will find themselves face to face with five state troopers.

As many as seven troopers will be part of the team when needed. They will be on the roads for the next three months, five days a week, at different times during the day. The team will utilize their new Mercury Marauder. They also plan on using planes to find bad drivers.