Published on Wednesday, February 28, 2007
in the Palm Beach Post

Troopers to take to roads, air against I-95, turnpike violators

Motorists on Interstate 95 and Florida's Turnpike may want to ease off the gas pedal for the next couple of days.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers will be out in force today and Thursday for Operation Safe Ride, a crackdown on speeding and aggressive driving.

Troopers will track law-breaking motorists, using every tool available, including radar and unmarked vehicles. Also, seven FHP aircraft will be flying over major highways and radioing information to troopers, who will pull over violators.

One of the complaints that the FHP constantly hears is how unsafe driving is a threat to law-abiding motorists and their families, Col. Chris Knight said. A number of factors contributing to crashes are simply bad driving habits, such as driving aggressively, speeding and not sharing the road, Knight said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,543 people died on Florida roadways in 2005, a 9 percent increase from the previous year.

Florida was one of 12 states with an increase of 5 percent or more in traffic fatalities in 2005. The nationwide increase was only 1 percent.

Operation Safe Ride is part of the FHP's overall traffic safety campaign to reduce deaths and injuries on Florida's roadways.