Main Menu

FHP Targets Aggressive Drivers

Aggressive Driving | Road Rage | Traffic

The Florida Highway Patrol’s ticketing aggressive cars and trucks campaign runs through June 29.

TAMPA BAY – Passenger vehicles and tractor trailers share the state’s highways every day, but too often aggressive driving habits result in deadly crashes between the two, the Florida Highway Patrol says.

Beginning Friday (June 16) and running through June 29, the FHP will begin Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks, a safety campaign aimed at educating motorists about the dangers of aggressive driving around large trucks and reducing commercial motor vehicle related crashes.

TACT aims to reduce commercial motor vehicle related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach, education and evaluation with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors.

In fatal crashes involving large trucks, 88 percent of the time the crash is attributable to driver error by both car and truck drivers, the FHP said. Only 12 percent of the crashes are the result of vehicle defects, road conditions or inclement weather.

Troopers are on the lookout for aggressive driving such as: following too closely, unsafe lane change and speeding violations committed by truck and car drivers as they interact on Florida highways.

In addition to targeted enforcement, the campaign uses billboard and radio messaging to increase awareness among car and truck drivers of safe driving behaviors around one another and of the heightened risk of receiving a ticket for a violation. In addition, FHP is collaborating with the Florida Trucking Association to conduct activities at schools and community centers around the state to educate drivers on how to share the road safely with trucks.

Motorists should protect themselves and their passengers by learning how to share the road safely. FHP offers these tips for driving around large trucks:

  • Stay out of the No Zone: Be aware that large trucks have large blind spots (also known as “No Zones”);
    Pass trucks with caution: Pass on the left side for maximum visibility and maintain a constant speed;
    Do not cut trucks off: Be sure to leave plenty of room when you pull in front of a truck. Large trucks simply cannot stop as quickly as cars;
    Practice patience around larger vehicles that are not traveling at the same speed as your vehicle;
    Do not drive distracted: Anything that takes your full attention off of the road, even for a second, could be deadly. This includes texting, changing the radio station, talking to passengers, and much more; and
    Dial *FHP (*347) if you witness aggressive or dangerous driving.

For information about TACT and FHP’s commercial motor vehicle enforcement, go to flhsmv.gov.

Florida Highway Patrol | Aggressive Driving | Traffic | Traffic Enforcement | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

#FloridaHighwayPatrol #AggressiveDriving #Traffic #TrafficEnforcement #TampaBayNews #TBReporter