Florida Highway Patrol Participates in Operation Safe DRIVE Education and Enforcement Waves

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Florida Highway Patrol Participates in Operation Safe DRIVE Education and Enforcement Waves

By Chief Jeffrey S. Dixon, Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol

Each year, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) troopers join with our southeastern highway patrol and state police partners for four Operation Safe DRIVE (distracted, reckless, impaired, visibility, enforcement) enforcement waves to target dangerous driver behaviors that contribute to commercial-vehicle-related crashes.

The operation is a multi-jurisdictional, highvisibility safety campaign designed to deter driver behaviors that contribute to commercial and non-commercial motor vehicle crashes. The first wave of 2021 took place March 2-4.

During the Operation Safe DRIVE wave, troopers conducted selective enforcement details and high-visibility patrols along Interstates 10, 75 and 95 to target dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to commercial-vehicle-involved crashes. These behaviors include speeding, following too closely, changing lanes improperly and distracted driving, such as using handheld electronic devices.

In the Jacksonville area, members operated a marked FHP truck-tractor during the detail to observe violations, then radioed to troopers in the area to stop the vehicles, conduct inspections and take appropriate enforcement actions.

FHP was also joined by the Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to enhance visibility and deter crashes.

FHP members conducted 851 commercial motor vehicle inspections, placing 233 dangerous vehicles and/or drivers out of service for 371 identified out-of-service violations. More than 1,100 citations and warnings were issued to commercial and non-commercial drivers during enforcement efforts. In addition to the high-visibility and selective enforcement efforts, CVE troopers also sought to draw awareness to the terrible crime of human trafficking. During commercial motor vehicle safety inspections, CVE troopers provided commercial drivers with Truckers Against Trafficking wallet cards with important information on how to recognize and report indicators of human trafficking. Bringing awareness is an important first step in joining the fight to end this atrocity and FHP is committed to support this national effort.

The Operation Safe DRIVE detail was successful in providing enhanced visibility and enforcement on Interstates 10, 75 and 95, creating a safer driving environment for Florida’s residents and visitors. During the three-day period, data shows that only five crashes, and no fatalities, occurred on the targeted interstates. n