Published on Sunday, November 26, 2006
in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

It's a holiday weekend, FHP looks for speeders

Set the cruise control to the speed limit if you're breezing down Florida's Turnpike or Interstate 95 today.

Troopers will be targeting speeders through midnight, part of Operation Safe Ride, a statewide enforcement campaign.

"Motorists must recognize that speeding ... increases the likelihood of a crash and its severity," said Col. Christopher Knight, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.

The sight of troopers' black-and-tan cruisers usually brings out the best driving behavior in people. "That's why every available trooper and supervisor is being assigned to patrol duties during this time," Knight said.

Thanksgiving weekend historically has been the deadliest holiday on Florida's roads.

Last year, 66 people died in 54 crashes statewide. Nearly three-quarters of the drivers and passengers killed weren't wearing seat belts. And 45 percent of the deaths were alcohol-related.

Troopers issued more than 9,000 traffic tickets statewide over the 2005 holiday weekend, including 7,368 for speeding, 1,630 for seat-belt and child-restraint violations and 88 for driving under the influence.