FHP Plans Show of Force Through the Weekend

Tampa Bay area motorists may notice more than an average amount of Florida Highway Patrol troopers out on local roads through the weekend.

FHP has announced that the second of three planned enhanced enforcement efforts to crackdown on wrong way drivers kicks off Thursday and runs through the weekend. The effort will focus on the area’s limited access roadways, such as the Interstate systems.

Troopers aren’t saying exactly where they’ll be, but the intent is to have 15 additional officers from around the state join with local forces.

The effort will involve a “heavy saturation enforcement of the area’s limited access roadways to apprehend impaired drivers, present a visible deterrent, and be in a position to quickly respond to reports of any wrong-way drivers,” an email to media from FHP stated.

A number of wrong-way driving incidents have been reported on Bay area roads this year, prompting the enhanced enforcement. So far, 11 deaths have been reported in the area.

Motorists who encounter wrong-way or impaired drivers are urged to call FHP on their cell phones by dialing *347.

Troopers prepare to kickoff the second patrol meant to crackdown on wrong-way drivers. Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol.

See Also:

• Wrong-Way Driving Crackdown Results Released
• Troopers Launch ‘Intensive Patrols’ to Stop Wrong-Way Drivers
• Update: Tampa Police Officer Struck by Wrong-Way Driver
• Wrong-Way Driver on Veterans Thought She Was on I-75, Troopers Say
• Wrong-Way Driver Arrested on Veterans Expressway
• Wrong-Way Crashes: How Would You Prevent Them?
• 3 Dead in I-275 Wrong-Way Crash
• Wrong-Way Driver Collides with Ambulance in Fatal Crash
• Wrong-Way Driver Arrested in Clearwater
• Wrong-Way Driver Causes Fatal U.S. 301 Crash