Conditions Brewing For A Traffic Citation Crackdown?
Several months ago it was reported that Florida State Troopers received the lowest pay of any other State Police force in the nation and had issues with turnover and staffing. Over the last several years there have been 18% less tickets written perhaps due to this shortage of manpower. Taking notice, The State just approved a 5% pay raise for the Troopers. This pay raise will likely get more troopers on the road and help with retention.
Then it got interesting. More recently, the headlines have changed and it seems FHP leadership are now rallying the troops.
In a leaked memo from FHP troop Commander Major Mark Welch, tells troopers the patrol wants to see two tickets an hour, “We are at 1.3 so we have a goal to reach.” He also adds “this is not a quota.” Florida Statute 316 specifically outlaws quotas.
Many found the language concerning however and there was public backlash and national media attention surrounding the message. FHP has responded that they are trying to get their troopers out on the road to make the roads safer after a record number of fatal crashes last year. They also have admitted the message should be communicated better.
Between the pay raises and encouragement from their bosses it possible we’ll see FHP writing more speeding tickets and the amount of traffic citations go up this year. We’re already seeing reports of citations being written for lesser known laws such as license plate frames.
Where Might This Crackdown Happen?
These 19 “hot spots” on South Florida’s roadways have been identified as the places where we could see more speed traps and patrols based information such as crash data.
In South Florida, those zones include:
— In Coral Springs, an area south of Wiles Road to Royal Palm Boulevard, and west of Coral Ridge Drive to U.S. 441.
— In Fort Lauderdale, a swath between Davie Boulevard and Oakland Park Boulevard, bordered to the west by Interstate 95 and to the east by Federal Highway.
— In Hollywood, in the Highland Garden and north central area.
— In Coconut Creek, three zones located between Johnson Road and the Sawgrass Expressway, between U.S. 441 and Lyons Road, and east of Liberty Elementary School along West Copans Road.
— In Palm Beach County, five zones located mostly between the Florida Turnpike and I-95, from Boca Raton north to West Palm Beach.
— In Miami-Dade, there are five hot spots, the largest of which flows northeast from the Miami International Airport, bordered on the east by I-95 and to the north by Ali Baba Avenue in Opa Locka. There is a zone in the southernmost region of Hialeah, two others that encompasses Little Havana and Miami Beach, and a zone extending south from the airport, from West Miami to Coral Gables.
What Should You Do If You Get A Traffic Ticket?
If you receive a speeding ticket or any other type of citations you have options besides just paying it. In fact, paying the ticket admits guilt and could have implications on your driving record and insurance. The Ticket Clinic has experienced legal assistants that can help you get on the way to fighting your ticket if you have been targeted in this crackdown against motorists. Call 1-800-CITATION today or hire us online.
