Attention all Florida drivers who tend to drive over the speed limit.
The annual “Operation Southern Slow Down” is a collaborative effort between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Florida Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies. The initiative is carried out in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other states including Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
According to recent reports, the Tallahassee Police Department and other agencies are set to intensify their efforts to curb speeding and aggressive driving. This will involve a significant increase in their presence on the roads.
Col. Gary L. Howze, the director of the Florida Highway Patrol, emphasized in a recent blog post on the FHP’s website that they will collaborate with their fellow law enforcement counterparts to ensure highway safety. FHP troopers will be actively patrolling and monitoring traffic to identify hazardous drivers and enforce traffic laws on Florida’s state highways. This effort is in support of Operations Southern Slowdown, which aims to promote safer driving habits among motorists.
According to data released by the FLHSMV, there were over 13,296 crashes in Florida in 2022 that were caused by speeding or driving too fast for the given conditions. Shockingly, these incidents resulted in 10.5% of all crash fatalities statewide, which translates to over 368 fatalities.
In a recent post on social media, TPD reminds drivers to observe the speed limit and practice patience while behind the wheel.
When will ‘Operation Southern Slowdown’ be in force?
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From July 15-20, state and local law enforcement agencies across five states will be launching a week-long campaign to raise awareness about speed enforcement. The campaign aims to prevent reckless driving and speeding, ultimately saving lives.
Tips provided by the Florida Highway Patrol
If you’re planning on traveling this summer, it’s important to ensure your safety on Florida’s roads. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind:
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- Anticipate increased traffic during peak travel periods. Plan ahead and give yourself ample drive time.
- Buckle up and make sure all passengers are buckled up the entire trip.
- Slow down in construction zones. Keep in mind that construction increases during the summer season.
- No matter how eager you are to reach your destination, speeding and driving aggressively is dangerous. Stay patient and give other road users plenty of space.
- Slow down at twilight hours and at night for wildlife crossing the roads.
