A week-long initiative across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee has law enforcement agencies working to reduce fatal crashes.
The highly visible initiative across multiple Southeastern jurisdictions will raise awareness of traffic safety issues and create increased enforcement of traffic violations.
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“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to making our highways safer, and we plan to do that by bolstering our forces to reduce the number and severity of crashes," said Col. Gene Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. "Troopers will take appropriate enforcement action on those drivers who put themselves and others in danger. We want everyone to have a safe traveling experience, and I encourage motorists to do their part by complying with all traffic laws, including making sure everyone in their vehicle is buckled up and drivers are not driving distracted or impaired.”
The Florida Highway Patrol, Georgia State Patrol, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Alabama State Patrol, and Tennessee Highway Patrol will also be working with local law enforcement partners to enhance education, visibility, and enforcement to help ensure the southeastern United States has the safest roadways possible.
Troopers will be especially vigilant regarding seatbelt usage, speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving violations.
Traffic safety should be a top priority for everyone traveling on these roadways. Motorists are reminded to:
- Obey all speed limits
- Buckle up -- every time you get in a vehicle, no matter where you are sitting
- Avoid texting and driving
“Texting is one of the most dangerous distractions because it requires manual, visual and cognitive ability -- the same abilities that are needed to drive safely,” FHP officials said.
They also said the choice to buckle up can reduce a driver or passenger's risk of being injured or killed in a crash by almost 50 percent.