Cutting off a big truck could cost you a fine, if you survive. The Florida Highway Patrol announced at a news conference in Miami the second phase of Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks, a program designed to educate the motoring public on how to drive safely alongside big rigs.
From March 30 through April 4, troopers statewide will be on the lookout for car and truck drivers who commit violations attributed to aggressive driving such as: following too closely, unsafe lane change and speeding.
The Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Trucking Assn. will also conduct activities at schools and community centers around the state to educate drivers on how to share the road safely with trucks.
“Safety on Florida’s roadways is a cooperative effort by cars and trucks alike. As an industry, safety is at the top of our minds — it matters above all else,” Mary Lou Rajchel, Florida Trucking Assn. president & CEO said. “We are pleased with the opportunity to take our No Zone message about safe driving behaviors around big rigs on the road with the Florida Highway Patrol. Pairing the ‘big trucks equal big blind spots’ message with the opportunity to ‘see what our drivers see’ through community education is a unique approach that we believe will promote responsible driving for everyone.”
“The campaign aims to reduce commercial motor vehicle-related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach and education with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors,” said FHP Director Col. David Brierton. “We are pleased to partner with the Florida Trucking Assn. on this safety campaign.”
In addition to targeted enforcement, the campaign will use 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.
The Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit http://www.flhsmv.gov or follow on Twitter @FDHSMV.
