ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In recent weeks, there have been several arrests related to drivers caught racing or driving at excessive speeds on Gandy Boulevard or the Gandy Bridge.
Within the last two weeks in October, four people were arrested and accused of going more than 100 mph while racing on the Gandy Bridge, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.
It's a problem that has persisted and has made this Tampa Bay area bridge notorious for lead feet and illegal racing.
In light of this, multiple agencies in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties came together this past weekend to crack down on speeding. St. Pete police say last week's operation is part of an ongoing multi-agency effort to combat street racing and speeding, specifically along roads connecting Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
Police said the weekend's efforts resulted in a total of 223 citations and 156 warnings. Officers said most citations given to drivers were for going between 20 to more than 30 mph over the posted speed limit.
"High speed increases the severity of injuries and damage upon impact," the department said in its statement. "Following the speed limit is for the safety of everyone on the roadway."
Other citations handed out during this weekend's crackdown were for failing to observe Florida's "move over" law. This law requires drivers to move over a lane — when it's safe to do so — for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles, tow trucks and maintenance or construction vehicles that have displayed warning lights.
Drivers who can't change lanes safely must slow down to 20 mph under the posted speed limit.
