DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation teamed up with local law enforcement agencies from July 18-23 to crack down on speeding.
“Operation Southern Slow Down” kicked off on July 18 during a news conference at Daytona International Speedway.
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During the operation, Orlando’s motors unit issued over 200 speeders with the highest recorded speed at 112 mph, according to police.
Police said they will continue their efforts to educate the public about the importance of slowing down to reduce fatal and serious bodily injury crashes.
“We want to express that it’s important to leave the racing and the speeding to the professionals,” Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi said.
The speed enforcement campaign is a joint effort with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the southeastern states of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Over the past two years, law enforcement said they’ve seen a substantial increase in vehicles traveling over 100 miles per hour.
During the campaign, officers took part in increased patrols on local highways with a focus on aggressive high-speed drivers.
“When you’re looking at speeds of 30 over the speed limit or 50 over the speed limit, you have to think if you would just take your eyes off the roadway for a second, you would crash and it’s not going to be survivable at a speed at that rate,” Crescenzi said.
According to federal officials, more than 3,700 people in Florida died in vehicle crashes in 2021.
Troopers said many fatal crashes could be prevented if drivers would slow down.
“We need to express the importance that speed limits are there for a reason and it’s to protect you and your vehicle, but also your passengers,“ Crescenzi said.