DAVIE, Fla. (CBS12) \u2014 Florida highway officials are joining a multi-state effort this week aimed at slowing drivers down and reducing speed-related crashes.<\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Transportation<\/a>, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles<\/a> and the Florida Highway Patrol<\/a> announced the start of “Operation Southern Slow Down”,<\/a> an annual enforcement and education campaign running July 13 through July 18.<\/p>\n At a news conference Monday, FHP officials stood with transportation and law enforcement partners to urge drivers to obey speed limits, especially during the busy summer travel season.<\/p>\n The campaign includes Florida<\/a>, Alabama<\/a>, Georgia<\/a>, South Carolina<\/a> and Tennessee<\/a>. Officials said troopers and law enforcement agencies across the Southeast will increase enforcement while also reminding drivers that speeding puts everyone on the road at risk.<\/p>\n \u201cUnsafe driver behaviors like speeding are a major contributor to fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways,\u201d FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue said in a statement. \u201cRemember that your actions behind the wheel can have life-altering impacts: slow down and drive responsibly to help get everyone to their destinations safely.\u201d<\/p>\n FHP Col. Gary Howze called speeding a \u201cconscious choice\u201d that can cost lives.<\/p>\n \u201cOperation Southern Slowdown brings Florida law enforcement and public safety partners across the Southeast United States together around a shared commitment to safer roads through increased enforcement, direct public outreach, and a unified message that reckless driving will not be tolerated,\u201d Howze said.<\/p>\n