Florida State Troopers are partnering with other law enforcement agencies, in-and-out-of-state, for the “Hands Across the Border” safety campaign. It’s an annual campaign that aims to promote safe driving practices along area highways leading up to the Labor Day Holiday—particularly sober driving.
For the past few years, alcohol-related deaths have been on an increase in Florida. And, Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Ryan Martina says law enforcers hope to make sure that doesn’t happen this Labor Day weekend.
“During this week leading up to the Labor Day Holiday, troopers, police, and sheriff’s deputies from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are converging in areas near the state line to set up sobriety checkpoints in order to catch impaired motorists, entering and leaving Florida. The event is typically signified by the iconic handshake of the different law enforcement agencies command staff, reaffirming their commitment to this campaign,” said Martina.
The “Hands Across the Border” takes place along U.S. 231, Interstate-75, and Interstate-95. While the main goal is to combat DUI crashes and fatalities, troopers are also cracking down on child restraint and seatbelt violations.
The campaign ends Monday on Labor Day, September 1st. The weekend is seen as one of the busiest travel holidays among the Southern states.
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Copyright 2014 WFSU
