The holiday weekend is over, the crackdown is complete, and the statistics are coming out for review. Here’s what we’ve learned from news reports at the Orlando Sentinel and Florida Today:
Statewide, Florida Highway Patrol issued 4,548 speeding citations, 1,928 safety belt-related offenses, and 98 DUIs arrests. In the Central Florida area, FHP issued 312 citations and no warnings. Basically, you got a ticket if they took the time to pull you over.
That pretty much confirms my thoughts that this crackdown had little to do with safety and everything to do with revenue. It’s a money-making affair for FHP. Per the Orlando Sentinel’s report, OPD said its officer’s had discretion whether to give a warning or issue a citation. That’s pretty much standard for law enforcement. So why didn’t the FHP Troopers give any warnings? There’s no profit in warning someone.