The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) announced the results of its aggressive driving campaign. The FHP conducted three aggressive driving crackdown efforts this year. Florida police were looking for drivers “who committed violations attributed to aggressive driving, such as speeding, following too closely and changing lanes improperly.” While all aggressive drivers were cited, the campaign was focused on limiting aggressive driving around large trucks.
The campaign was an effort to raise awareness of the dangers of driving erratically around tractor-trailers. Drivers often become impatient when encountering large trucks, and through billboard and radio ads, the FHP offered the alternative of how to share the road safely with trucks.
According to the press release, over 4,900 citations were issued during the campaigns with over 2,000 of the citations for violations associated with aggressive driving.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to keeping our roadways safe for all motorists, and we were pleased to partner with the Florida Trucking Association on this safety campaign,” said FHP Director Col. David Brierton. “Whether you are driving a commercial motor vehicle or a passenger car, it is a driver’s responsibility to drive with care.”
According to the Florida 2010 Crash Statistics, there were 6,293 Florida accidents involving tractor-trailers. Of those, 140 involved a fatality and 3,354 resulted in serious injuries.
The FHP wants to alert the public that driving around large trucks requires extra caution. Sharing the road with larger vehicles, it warns, can be dangerous if you are not aware of their limitations. Collisions involving tractor-trailers, semis, and other 18 wheelers are more likely to cause devastating injuries to the occupants of other cars or smaller trucks because of the sheer size and weight of the large trucks.
Our South Florida truck accident attorneys thank our law enforcement for focusing on keeping our roadways safe from aggressive drivers, and for educating the public on safe driving behaviors around large trucks. Negligent drivers create dangers to anyone traveling Florida roads and need to be stopped.
A Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, has provided professional and compassionate legal assistance to car accident victims in South Florida and the Treasure Coast since 1975. The firm sponsors a Facebook campaign to help end distracted driving entitled Hang Up and Drive! We believe that distracted driving is a life-threatening behavior that can be stopped.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted or reckless driver in Florida, call us today at (800) 299-8878 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free consultation.
