Increased FHP Enforcement For Thanksgiving Travel Period

November 24, 2010

The Florida Highway Patrol has stepped up enforcement efforts  for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The Thanksgiving holiday is a peak travel period for families nationwide. Florida is no exception, with its inviting climate and numerous vacation options. Because Thanksgiving typically produces a high volume of motor vehicle traffic, the Florida Highway Patrol will increase its presence on Nov. 24 – 28. 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.

“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. “During this hectic time, it is easy to lose your temper while driving as evidenced by recent incidents of road rage. Our troopers are prepared to take immediate action to stop others from placing innocent lives at risk, whether the weapon is a gun or a vehicle.”

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. oil, gas and windshield wipers, and ensure your tires have adequate pressure and are in good condition.

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.

Comments

4 Responses to “Increased FHP Enforcement For Thanksgiving Travel Period”

  1. Everett on November 27th, 2010 1:15 am

    Nice to see the FHP out anytime, not just the holidays. There is plenty of business out there.
    -Red light runners at West Roberts and 29.
    -Speeders on Michigan avenue and Nine mile and Interstate 10.
    -The vagrants at Pine forest and I-10 continue to drink beer(I’m guessing Florida got rid of the public intoxification law), urinate on the side of the overpass, and walk out in front of traffic. The local ACLU says has convinced our Sheriff as long as they have a “God Bless You” sign in their hand it’s a free speech issue and they can’t be touched. I saw a nice lady in a blue van Thanksgiving afternoon stopped and gave one of them a plate. When she drove off the man threw it away on the ground. If one of these folks gets ran over on the highway the FHP will have to break off from catching speeders and light runners to do a report for someone not sober enough to stay out of the road.
    -To all he drunk drivers, stay off the road.
    Good job FHP. Keep up the good work.

  2. Just An Old Soldier on November 26th, 2010 11:25 am

    I am grateful that our Troopers and LEOs are spending time out there to ensure our safety at the expense, on their part, of not being home with their families. God bless them.

    Our Troops are also spending time far from home to ensure our safety, in Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan and other foresaken parts of the world – God bless them and keep them safe.

    Seem like we don’t hear much about them these days – but they are still out on Freedom’s Frontier regardless of the political environment back home.

    Praying for our Troops and our Troopers. And giving thanks for them!

  3. David Huie Green on November 24th, 2010 2:45 pm

    based on that concept, it’s generous of the speeders to fund them

  4. Partyride on November 24th, 2010 1:57 am

    Yep, FHP troopers need to pay for their Christmas Gifts like the new toaster for the wife, and Fishing Real for the Husband. I seen one FHP running radar on the off ramp at Brent Ln Tues afternoon and she looked like she wanted to buy her Husband a Boat and Trailer for Christmas.

    Just be careful like always no matter if it is coming into the Holidays.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News