FLORIDA, USA — Florida Highway Patrol and several other agencies will target dangerous driving today along U.S. Highway 19.
A total of 11 agencies will be monitoring drivers' speed along the highway from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Pinellas County to the Levy County line, FHP troopers said in a media briefing Wednesday.
The project, which FHP calls a "Multi-Agency Speed Enforcement Detail," will take place between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
During the conference, officials said the collaboration is meant to "educate" the public and "enforce" Florida traffic laws.
"Our main focus is the aggressive driving out on U.S. 19," FHP Lt. Dan Middleton told agencies during Wednesday's conference. "So, we want to make sure you guys are going out and trying to enforce the traffic laws."
A recent report by Consumer Affairs found the stretch of U.S. 19 in Pinellas County is the deadliest road by county in Florida. Researchers found that it had at least 94 fatalities since 2020.
St. Petersburg Police Lt. Jason Levy added that his agency will focus on 34th Street in St. Pete, which has seen several high crash intersections, including, 38th Avenue North, 22nd Avenue North, 5th Avenue North and 22nd Avenue South down to the Skyway.
Florida Highway Patrol Maj. Rick Benton told troopers and officers, "every stop you guys make makes a difference."
"Just by being out there, it helps educate the public and we really appreciate everybody participating as a team," Benton said.
