Aggressive Drivers Be Warned: Troopers Are Looking for You

Motorists who are prone to aggressive behaviors behind the wheel might want to take a deep breath or two before hitting the road.

The Florida Highway Patrol’s commercial vehicle enforcement troopers announced the kickoff of their Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT) campaign Friday. The enforcement effort runs through Nov. 5. And, while the statewide campaign is being spearheaded by commercial enforcement troopers, that doesn’t mean regular patrol troopers won’t be handing out tickets and warnings, as well.

Sgt. Steve Gaskins, spokesman for the highway patrol’s Troop C, which covers most of the Tampa Bay area, said all troopers will be focusing on aggressive driving during the campaign, especially in regard to safety around large trucks.

“(We’re) calling people’s attention to the fact that these are bigger vehicles and (they have) much larger blind spots,” Gaskins said.

The TACT campaign is designed to educate motorists “about the dangers of aggressive driving around large trucks and to reduce commercial motor vehicle related crashes,” the patrol said in an announcement about the campaign.

“The safety of all motorists is our number one priority,” said FHP Chief Troy Thompson. “Exercising patience when driving around large trucks and other vehicles will help to ensure the safety of everyone on the roadway.”

Semi-trucks, troopers say, can be as long as 80 feet and can weigh up to 20 tons.

“The large size also means it takes them 40 percent longer to stop than smaller vehicles,” the announcement stated.

During the TACT campaign, troopers will be looking for regular motorists and truckers who display such aggressive habits as tailgating, speeding and making unsafe lane changes.

The highway patrol typically runs about three to four TACT campaigns a year, Gaskins told Patch. The hope is to raise awareness about the need for extra caution when driving near big trucks to reduce crash numbers. Crashes involving semis, Gaskins said, tend to be serious and often result in lengthy road closures.

While the TACT campaign doesn’t involve extra troopers hitting the roads, Gaskins warned, “We’re out there and this is what we’re focusing on.”

To learn more about TACT, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles online.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol