Published on Sunday, May 29, 2005
in the Jupiter Courier

FHP, PBSO, local police to step up holiday weekend traffic enforcement

Memorial Day weekend warriors may want to think twice before they drink and drive.

The Florida Highway Patrol is stepping up patrol on land and in the air, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is increasing the number of units dedicated to spotting aggressive drivers and those driving under the influence.

Meanwhile, citizens can earn $100 for a DUI tips that lead to an arrest.

The Tequesta Police Department kicked off the weekend on Friday with an interagency crackdown on traffic violations that included participation of Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Juno Beach officers. Jupiter P.D. officers will be among those on special lookout for DUIs and safety belt use, according to Lt. Michael Goad.

The weekend falls during the National Highway & Transportation Safety Administration's "Click It or Ticket" campaign.

"Most drunks do not think to buckle their seatbelts," said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Tim Frith.

During Memorial Day weekend 2004, Frith said, 40 traffic crash-related deaths occurred, some of them involving pedestrians and motorcyclists. Of the 20 who died in the vehicles, 40 percent involved alcohol and 83 percent were not wearing seatbelts, he said.

Beginning Friday, FHP is suspending office operations and moving all available personnel into road patrol duties. FHP also will have two aircraft monitoring speed along Interstate 95 and Florida's Turnpike in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. Officers in marked and undercover cars, Frith said, will be using laser and radar to enforce speed limits.

Seat belt use in Florida is a secondary violation — meaning that drivers can only be ticketed for non-seat belt use after being pulled over for another violation. During the zero tolerance "Click It or Ticket," officers immediately issue tickets, rather than warnings, for the violation.

"There's extra emphasis on DUIs, especially during holiday weekends when people have more time on their hands," said PBSO Capt. Nancy Grimes. "'Click It or Ticket' always helps. If there are crashes, people have some form of protection."