FHP Out In Force Beginning For Long Thanksgiving Weekend

November 25, 2009

The Florida Highway Patrol will be out in full force this long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, aggressively enforcing traffic laws.

The FHP will increase its presence on the state’s highways from Wednesday throught Sunday. All sworn FHP personnel, including those typically assigned to administrative duties, will patrol Florida’s high volume roadways during the five-day period. Auxiliary and Reserve troopers will volunteer to augment the Patrol.

Troopers will direct their enforcement efforts toward impaired driving, speeding, following too closely and other aggressive driving behavior. In addition, troopers will strictly enforce safety belt and child restraint laws, which now authorize law enforcement officers to stop motorists who fail to buckle up.

“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to making Florida’s highways safe, and we plan to do that by bolstering our forces to reduce the number and severity of crashes,” said FHP Director, Colonel John Czernis. “I encourage motorists to do their part by complying with all traffic laws and making sure everyone in their vehicle is buckled up.”

The Florida Highway Patrol offers safety tips to help you and your family arrive at your destination safely:

  • Get plenty of rest before setting out on a long trip
  • Observe and obey all speed limits
  • Allow plenty of time to reach your destinations
  • Drive sober, and only sober
  • Buckle up!
  • Eliminate distractions: Texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the stereo – these are all examples of things that can take your eyes off the road, which is exactly what you want to avoid.
  • Prepare your vehicle: Check fluids for proper levels, i.e.

The Florida Highway Patrol is also reminding motorists of Florida’s Move Over Law. The law requires drivers who approach an emergency vehicle or tow truck stopped roadside with flashing lights to change lanes away from the emergency vehicles if able to do so safely and if not, slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit.

Call *FHP (*347) to report intoxicated or aggressive drivers, or if your vehicle breaks down and you need assistance. To request immediate emergency services, dial 911.

Comments

One Response to “FHP Out In Force Beginning For Long Thanksgiving Weekend”

  1. David on November 25th, 2009 10:56 am

    No doubt they will mostly be just running radar traps on long empty straight-aways where accidents are less likely. Instead they should be ticketing everyone who runs a red-light. Red lights are only installed on busy intersections and running one is much more likely to cause a serious injury than going 10 MPH over the limit on some remote county highway.

    All the big talk about safety is just a ruse. The FHP is only doing what rises the most money not what saves the most lives!

    FHP, it’s time to stop serving government and start serving the citizens who need your help. DEAR FHP: PLEASE PUT AN END TO THE EPIDEMIC OF RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS WE HAVE HERE IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY!