Updates From the Florida Highway Patrol

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

Florida Troopers Support Operation Clear Track Through Enforcement Details at Railroad Crossings

Members of the Florida Highway Patrol Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement joined law enforcement and rail safety partners across Florida and the United States from Sept. 20-26 to support Operation Life Saver and National Rail Safety Week. On Sept. 21, troopers focused selective enforcement details at railroad grade crossings throughout the state during the Operation Clear Track campaign to promote safety awareness and conduct enforcement related to rail crossing violations by passenger vehicles and commercial motor vehicles.

Operation Clear Track is the single largest rail-safety law enforcement initiative in North America. Its goal is to reduce the number of railway crossing and trespassing incidents across Canada and the U.S.

Tpr. Larry Favors Receives 2020 FTA Trooper of the Year Award

On Oct. 14, Florida Trucking Association (FTA) President Alix Miller presented Tpr. Larry Favors, of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troop I Jacksonville, with the 2020 FTA Trooper of the Year award. Favors was recognized for his actions during a traffic stop on Interstate 10 on April 6, 2020, when the driver of a commercial motor vehicle suffered a life-threatening medical event. Tpr. Favors recognized the driver’s distress and intervened by attending to the driver and summonsing EMS. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital and survived. Doctors credited Tpr. Favors’ immediate action with saving the man’s life, stating that the man was truly only moments from death. Tpr. Favors was also recognized for his dedication to providing educational outreach to members of the industry and work with the FTA at No Zone events to teach teen drivers how to safely drive around commercial motor vehicles, and for volunteering in his community to enhance the lives of others who are less fortunate. Tpr. Favors is a dedicated member of the Florida Highway Patrol Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and proactively supports important safety missions to promote commercial vehicle safety, reduce crashes on Florida’s roadways, and save lives.

Congratulations to Tpr. Favors.

Florida Highway Patrol Participates in 3 Million Safe Miles Ceremony for Walmart Driver

On July 14, Lt. Natalie Ruff and Sgt. Casey Moore participated in a 3 Million Safe Miles ceremony for Walmart driver Larry Warr at the Alachua distribution center. The Florida Highway Patrol truck tractor was on display during the ceremony. Warr has been with Walmart for more than 20 years. Warr was presented with a $10,000 safety bonus and a new Walmart truck tractor. He was also presented with a certificate from the Florida Highway Patrol and publicly thanked for his dedication to safety on our roadways. Several dignitaries were in attendance, including representation from Senator Keith Perry and Congresswoman Kat Cammack’s offices.

After the ceremony, Lt. Ruff and Sgt. Moore participated in a Walmart safety class, where drivers were trained in pre-trip inspections, proper coupling techniques and backing. Sgt. Moore was even given the opportunity to take the backing challenge, which he successfully completed.

Congratulations to driver Larry Warr. n