Published on Tuesday, May 1, 2007
in the Palm Beach Post

You speed, wallet bleeds

Has the threat of higher fines motivated drivers on Interstate 95 to ease off the gas pedal?

Not a chance, said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tim Frith.

Bright yellow signs for the enhanced penalty zone south of Gateway Boulevard were unveiled about a month ago, but motorists have ignored the warning for the most part and continue to race along the stretch in excess of the 65 mph speed limit. The average speed in the area is 84 mph.

Beginning today, state officials will see whether money does the trick. That's when drivers nabbed for speeding in "the zone" will have to cough up another $50.

Led by state Reps. Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, and Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, lawmakers approved the three-year trial program last year to try to get a handle on the speeding problem along I-95. A study showed that, in 2004, there were about 19 speed-related crashes every 10 miles on I-95 in Palm Beach County, far above the state average of six crashes every 10 miles.

"These areas are especially dangerous, and the increased penalties will act as a deterrent to reduce speeding and also help save lives," Hasner said.

A spokesman for the National Motorists' Association said similar programs have been tried in other states and are really no different than doubling the fines for speeding in construction zones.

"It seems like they're just trying to increase revenue, with the political benefit of saying they're increasing safety," Aaron Quinn said. "If they upped the enforcement level with normal fines, it would serve the same purpose."

The Waunakee, Wis.-based association was founded in 1982 to fight the 55-mph national maximum speed limit. The group says it supports reasonable traffic laws and fair enforcement practices that do not conflict with individual liberty.

Half of the money from the enhanced fines will go to trauma centers in the counties participating in the program. In Palm Beach County, the trauma centers are at St. Mary's and Delray medical centers. The state's Agency for Health Care Administration will receive the other half to pay the Medicaid costs of nursing home patients with brain and spinal cord injuries.

For the stepped-up enforcement, FHP will use its aircraft to track speeders. Troopers in unmarked cars and the new motorcycle unit also will be out, Frith said.

One reason why speeding is worse in Palm Beach County than other areas may be the ongoing construction to widen the highway to 10 lanes. The work began in 2000 and is expected to continue at least another five years.

"It slows everybody down, and you have more delays. It takes longer for people to get where they're going," Frith said.

Once outside the construction zones, drivers tend to unleash their frustrations and hit the gas pedal.

But trying to make up lost time is no excuse for speeding, Frith said.