ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — With holiday shopping traffic picking up, police in Altamonte Springs stepped up enforcement along State Road 436 Friday as part of a high-visibility traffic safety operation.

What You Need To Know

Altamonte Springs police conducted a high-visibility traffic safety operation Friday along State Road 436

Officers focused on red-light violations, aggressive driving, and pedestrian safety

Multiple agencies participated in the mission

Police said the goal was to reduce crashes during the busy holiday season

Officers from multiple agencies spread out along the busy area, positioning themselves at key intersections and medians to make their presence clear to drivers moving through the area.

Police said the operation — which ran Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — focused on violations that commonly lead to crashes, especially at busy intersections.

“So, some of the things that they will be looking for today are those that may be running red lights. Cars that are blocking an intersection,” Altamonte Springs Police Information Officer Deana DiPaola said ahead of the enforcement. “They’re also going to be looking for aggressive driving and also for those that may not be yielding to pedestrians or wearing seatbelts.” 

The timing of the operation was intentional. Police officials said the final weekend before Christmas brings a surge in traffic.

“People are out of school. We have visitors coming into town to visit our businesses and visit families,” DiPaola said. “And we just want to promote awareness for everybody to slow down and be patient.” 

The annual high-visibility mission happens every year during the holiday season and brings together multiple agencies working the same roadway. In addition to the Altamonte Springs Police Department, participating agencies included the Casselberry Police Department, Longwood Police Department, Oviedo Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement officials said their message during the holiday season is simple: slow down, stay patient, and pay attention behind the wheel.

“It is the holiday season, and we want everybody to get from point A to point B safely,” DiPaola said.