Us
Print
E-mail
Rate
FHP issues nearly 600 citations during enforcement detail
 |
| Florida Highway Patrolman Hazen Ogden stops a motorist to check her driver’s license on Bascom Norris Drive Monday afternoon. FHP conducted Operation S.T.E.P. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) in Columbia, Suwannee and Hamilton counties. The first day of the operation, which was Sunday, resulted in 186 citations issued, 4 people arrested and the seizure of $35,000 cash and marijuana. JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter |
Program designed to reduce injuries and fatal crashes.
From staff reports
Almost 600 citations were written and $35,000 in cash seized during a four-day Florida Highway Patrol enhanced enforcement detail in Columbia, Suwannee and Hamilton counties, police reports said.
The enhanced enforcement detail, which ran from Dec. 7 to Dec. 10, was part of Operation Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.). The detail is designed to reduce injuries and fatal crashes on Columbia, Hamilton and Suwannee county roadways. Troop B’s counties include Marion, Levy, Alachua, Gilchrist, Dixie, Lafayette, Suwannee, Hamilton and Columbia.
According to Florida Highway Patrol Troop B public information officer Lt. Patrick Riordan, the increased number of wrecks with serious and fatal injuries and large volume of traffic violations qualified Columbia County as a candidate for Operation S.T.E.P.
Riordan’s information indicated that troopers utilized driver’s license and faulty equipment checkpoints, stationary laser radar, unmarked patrol vehicles and FHP aircraft speed enforcement details to conduct high-visibility and assertive traffic enforcement actions throughout the area.
Operation S.T.E.P. resulted in 570 traffic citations, 105 written warnings and 72 faulty equipment violations. The operation also resulted in 31 seat belt citations, 15 child restraint violations, 36 driving while license suspended/revoked arrests, 41 improper equipment citations, one felony drug arrest and 26 misdemeanor arrests. Four active warrants were served and $35,000 in cash was seized.
“Receiving a traffic ticket is never a pleasant experience, however, recent studies have shown that enforcement is the most effective deterrent to educating the motoring public of the dangers of speeding and other traffic violations,” said FHP Lt. Mark Boatright, in a prepared statement.
Operation S.T.E.P. has been labeled a perpetual FHP Troop B traffic operation aimed at reducing the amount wrecks locally with serious injuries and fatalities in Troop B.
“Faulty equipment and speeding violations are ever-present on the roadways in our tri-county area,” FHP Captain Tim Culhane, the Lake City district commander said. “We are experiencing phenomenal growth, subsequently resulting in more congested roadways. The need to adhere to speed limits and other traffic laws has never been greater. I hope that Operation S.T.E.P. serves as a reminder that we each need to do our part to make our roadways safe.”
The enhanced enforcement detail, which ran from Dec. 7 to Dec. 10, was part of Operation Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.). The detail is designed to reduce injuries and fatal crashes on Columbia, Hamilton and Suwannee county roadways. Troop B’s counties include Marion, Levy, Alachua, Gilchrist, Dixie, Lafayette, Suwannee, Hamilton and Columbia.
According to Florida Highway Patrol Troop B public information officer Lt. Patrick Riordan, the increased number of wrecks with serious and fatal injuries and large volume of traffic violations qualified Columbia County as a candidate for Operation S.T.E.P.
Riordan’s information indicated that troopers utilized driver’s license and faulty equipment checkpoints, stationary laser radar, unmarked patrol vehicles and FHP aircraft speed enforcement details to conduct high-visibility and assertive traffic enforcement actions throughout the area.
Operation S.T.E.P. resulted in 570 traffic citations, 105 written warnings and 72 faulty equipment violations. The operation also resulted in 31 seat belt citations, 15 child restraint violations, 36 driving while license suspended/revoked arrests, 41 improper equipment citations, one felony drug arrest and 26 misdemeanor arrests. Four active warrants were served and $35,000 in cash was seized.
“Receiving a traffic ticket is never a pleasant experience, however, recent studies have shown that enforcement is the most effective deterrent to educating the motoring public of the dangers of speeding and other traffic violations,” said FHP Lt. Mark Boatright, in a prepared statement.
Operation S.T.E.P. has been labeled a perpetual FHP Troop B traffic operation aimed at reducing the amount wrecks locally with serious injuries and fatalities in Troop B.
“Faulty equipment and speeding violations are ever-present on the roadways in our tri-county area,” FHP Captain Tim Culhane, the Lake City district commander said. “We are experiencing phenomenal growth, subsequently resulting in more congested roadways. The need to adhere to speed limits and other traffic laws has never been greater. I hope that Operation S.T.E.P. serves as a reminder that we each need to do our part to make our roadways safe.”
 |
 |
|
| Christmas magic | Driver injured in wreck |
south suwannee county wrote on Dec 12, 2008 9:06 AM: