FHP cracks down on aggressive drivers

Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol and deputies with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office say too many people have died in wrecks on Interstate 4 over the last month, and now they will show no tolerance for aggressive driving through Seminole County.

A Seminole County Sheriff's helicopter tracked down two aggressive drivers on the roadway this past weekend.   Authorities say the drivers were going 91 miles per hour in a 65 miles per hour zone.  One of the drivers cited for speeding was also charged with possession of marijuana.  FHP and the Sheriff’s Office issued 400 speeding tickets and made eight arrests during the three-day crackdown. 

“Our focus is to get the drivers who are driving aggressively," says FHP Sgt. Kim Montes.  "We are talking about lane surfing, passing on the shoulder, which is clearly an example where we lost two people when they passed on the shoulder, came upon road debris and they cut back in.”

State Troopers say over the last year, they have seen a significant increase in crashes on I-4 in Seminole County resulting in injuries or fatalities.  Now, FHP and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office will watch for aggressive drivers from the ground and the sky.

"You’re going to see aircraft.  You’re going to see helicopters. You’re going to see motorcycles, and you’re gonna see unmarked vehicles from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office," Sgt. Montes adds.  "So don’t expect to see just that marked car out there.”

FHP points out this crackdown on aggressive driving will be a longterm effort. They will also enforce the state’s seat belt law.  Four people who recently died in Interstate 4 crashes were not wearing seat belts and were thrown out of their cars, according to troopers.