Wednesday, May 21, 2008
SunPass Holders Recieve Severe Penalties: Rack Up Fines and Lose Licenses
SunPass Holders are responsible for:
- Changing transponder batteries when they become low
- Keeping mailing address current
- Keeping credit card or bank information current
- Keeping license plate numbers current
- Keeping car info current
Penalties Include:
- Fines (First $25, then $165)
- Drivers License Points (adds 3)
- License Suspension (at 12 points license is suspended)
To take care of these issues:
- Online at Sunpass.com
- Call Sunpass Toll Free at 1-888-865-5352
To read complete story A Fine Mess Over Tolls For SunPass Users
Labels: Drivers License Points, Driving Record, Fines, Florida, License Plate, License Suspension, Ticket, Traffic School
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Frustrated officers say Hillsborough's traffic court has become gridlocked
Traffic cases force police to sit, wait
Frustrated officers say Hillsborough's traffic court has become gridlocked.
By COLLEEN JENKINS AND REBECCA CATALANELLO, Times Staff Writers
Published August 26, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAMPA - There's a four-letter word that describes Hillsborough County's traffic court these days.
"A mess," Tampa police Chief Stephen Hogue says.
"Just a mess," Chief Judge Manuel Menendez echoes.
The number of traffic tickets has swelled 52 percent in five years, to 272,511 last year. Court dockets are crammed with speeders and red light runners.
Law enforcement leaders and judges have been struggling to find a mutually agreeable remedy. The result has been a gridlock of unhappy uniformed officers, lawyers and citizens at the once-a-week County Court traffic hearings in Courtroom 302.
Thursday's docket, considered light at 454 cases, forced Officer Larry Yeoman to cut his night's sleep short to attend morning court, then kept him away from his South Tampa patrol area for three hours of his late-afternoon shift.
Fellow officers came to court on their day off, racking up guaranteed hours of overtime no matter how long they stayed or whether they even testified.
Most left frustrated
"Please do something for us," begged a deputy who left court after more than two hours.
County Judge Raul "Sonny" Palomino Jr. thought he had the answer.
When he took over traffic court a year ago, he noticed that officers and lawyers often agreed about how a case should be resolved before it ever came before him. So he created a form that allowed the two sides to consent to a plea and get the officer out of court quickly.
Hogue was taken aback when he heard about the plea form this spring.
He supported the quickened pace of the docket but didn't like the idea of his officers recommending that the judge settle for a lesser penalty or no finding of guilt on a traffic charge.
"You're going to write a ticket to somebody, then you're going to say, 'Okay, withhold it?' " Hogue said. "We had no idea this was going on."
On May 30, the police chief issued a memo prohibiting officers from signing plea agreements in traffic court. Then the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office used almost exactly the same language in its own memo June 1, followed by one from the Florida Highway Patrol on June 22.
The edicts prescribed that officers, deputies and troopers "must not be a party to any written plea agreement or orally state in court an opinion as to the appropriate disposition of a traffic case to include withholding adjudication, recommending court costs or any other sanctions. That responsibility rests solely with the presiding judge."
Hogue and sheriff's officials met with Palomino to share their concerns.
The judge took it to heart, somewhat testily.
When a deputy tried to recommend an enhanced penalty on Thursday, Palomino cut him short and reminded him of the new edict.
"They told me, 'My deputies won't tell you how to sentence, you don't tell us how to charge,' " Palomino said.
The deputy looked sheepish. "Wow," someone whispered.
Since the memos, officers are back to sitting in court and waiting -- sometimes all day.
The 454 cases before Palomino Thursday included 207 from Tampa police, 179 from the Sheriff's Office and 59 from the Florida Highway Patrol. A blur of navy, forest green and tan uniforms squeezed into benches, jury seats and aisles, spilled out of the courtroom and forced members of the public to wait outside until their cases were called.
"This place gets worse and worse," a lawyer muttered as he pushed his way to an open space.
Officers have to be there or else their case is automatically dismissed. So just showing up will often prompt a "no contest" plea from a defendant who hoped the officer wouldn't make it.
As the hours dragged on, one officer likened getting his cases called to winning the lottery. Another's phone rang with a text message from a colleague sitting across the crowded room.
This s---s, it read.
Local traffic lawyers might not put it quite that way, but those contacted by the Times seem to share the sentiment.
They argue against Hogue's rule, saying the officer who wrote the ticket and saw the driver's demeanor should have a say about a suitable punishment.
They believe the judge is now convicting more drivers, and suspect that the police chief and Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee are behind it. Fines are collected only when someone is found guilty, they point out.
"They're treating traffic tickets like somebody robbed a bank," attorney Ty Trayner said. "They're just traffic tickets."
But law enforcement leaders said the revenue that comes to their agencies from tickets is hardly worth discussing.
"Traffic citations are not anything that anyone makes money on," Hogue said.
On average, Tampa takes in about $14 for every ticket written, he said. That doesn't even pay for the 20 to 25 minutes it takes to write them, he said.
Highway Patrol Maj. Thomas Knight said it's about ethics, not money.
Attorney backlash
On Aug. 9, Palomino went away to a conference.
Lawyers knew it, and some sought to add about six months' worth of motions to that day's calendar. Nine lawyers persuaded Senior Judge Elvin Martinez to dismiss nearly 900 tickets that had legal defects.
Of those, about 700 belonged to attorney Dennis Lopez, according to court records.
"It sounds like a high number, but it's just a small percentage of my cases," Lopez said. And they were motions that "would normally get granted in due course."
Even before the late additions, the docket had bulged with 400 cases. Court lasted until 10:30 p.m., said Carla Snavely, chief deputy of courts for the clerk's office.
On Friday, Palomino said he knew nothing about it.
Clocking overtime
Many officers reporting to court are off duty. Union contracts allow them to collect a minimum of overtime pay for time spent in court on their days off. Even if court takes just 15 minutes, the officer is entitled to three hours overtime with the Tampa police, 2 1/2 hours with the Highway Patrol or two hours with the Sheriff's Office.
Could that be an incentive for bosses, who already are paying for officers to sit in court, to make sure they're getting their money's worth?
Leaders in each agency said the overtime factor had nothing to do with their decision to ban officers from participating in the plea agreements.
In fact, Hogue says his moratorium has increased overtime. "This is costing us more money, no question about it."
As for the on-duty officers, there's an equally worrisome issue: "Obviously, if they're in court testifying, they're not on the road," said sheriff's Col. Greg Brown.
It's hard to get solid numbers showing the financial impact traffic court has had on overtime pay and on street patrols. All of the agencies said they track overtime claimed for court duty, but they don't differentiate between traffic court and criminal court.
Still, Maj. John Bennett, head of special operations, which includes the police traffic division, said he knows anecdotally that officers are spending more time sitting in court than ever before.
"We shouldn't have to live at the courthouse on our days off," said Kevin Durkin, president of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association. "It's frustrating to sit in court all day and never testify - whether you're getting overtime or not. It's boring."
So, are the streets less safe with all those cops tied up in court? Agency leaders say that, so far, they're handling the demand.
In Tampa, crash figures continue to be down over last year, according to the police. April and May accidents were down 26 and 22 percent, respectively.
But the drop has been less dramatic in the two months since Hogue issued his memo. In June, crashes were down 21 percent. In July, the drop was 17 percent.
Solutions
Palomino, who jokes that his docket could fill a convention room, has gotten some relief. More is on the way.
A hearing officer, who already had been handling some traffic cases during the week, began holding night traffic court every other Thursday this summer.
And starting Sept. 4, County Judge Joelle Ann Ober will take over half of Palomino's docket, holding traffic court each Tuesday and possibly another day if needed, Menendez said.
Officials also will stagger hearing times. Instead of everyone on Palomino's morning docket showing up at 8:30 a.m., some will be asked to arrive at 10 a.m.
"We've got to get people in and out," Menendez said.
Pinellas County holds traffic court every day in two places, plus night court in two locations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. And the caseload is smaller than in Hillsborough: 203,000 civil and criminal traffic citations last year.
An understatement
Remember Officer Yeoman, coming to court Thursday morning on three hours sleep?
The clock read 5:04 p.m. when Palomino called the final case, a speeding ticket Yeoman wrote. The lawyer quickly entered a no-contest plea, and the judge withheld adjudication. Yeoman didn't have to say a word.
Walking to his patrol car -- home away from home until shift's end at 1:30 a.m. -- the still good-natured officer uttered this understatement: "It makes for a very long day."
Staff photographer Ken Helle contributed to this report. Rebecca Catalanello can be reached at 813 226-3383 or rcatalanello@sptimes.com.
Frustrated officers say Hillsborough's traffic court has become gridlocked.
By COLLEEN JENKINS AND REBECCA CATALANELLO, Times Staff Writers
Published August 26, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAMPA - There's a four-letter word that describes Hillsborough County's traffic court these days.
"A mess," Tampa police Chief Stephen Hogue says.
"Just a mess," Chief Judge Manuel Menendez echoes.
The number of traffic tickets has swelled 52 percent in five years, to 272,511 last year. Court dockets are crammed with speeders and red light runners.
Law enforcement leaders and judges have been struggling to find a mutually agreeable remedy. The result has been a gridlock of unhappy uniformed officers, lawyers and citizens at the once-a-week County Court traffic hearings in Courtroom 302.
Thursday's docket, considered light at 454 cases, forced Officer Larry Yeoman to cut his night's sleep short to attend morning court, then kept him away from his South Tampa patrol area for three hours of his late-afternoon shift.
Fellow officers came to court on their day off, racking up guaranteed hours of overtime no matter how long they stayed or whether they even testified.
Most left frustrated
"Please do something for us," begged a deputy who left court after more than two hours.
County Judge Raul "Sonny" Palomino Jr. thought he had the answer.
When he took over traffic court a year ago, he noticed that officers and lawyers often agreed about how a case should be resolved before it ever came before him. So he created a form that allowed the two sides to consent to a plea and get the officer out of court quickly.
Hogue was taken aback when he heard about the plea form this spring.
He supported the quickened pace of the docket but didn't like the idea of his officers recommending that the judge settle for a lesser penalty or no finding of guilt on a traffic charge.
"You're going to write a ticket to somebody, then you're going to say, 'Okay, withhold it?' " Hogue said. "We had no idea this was going on."
On May 30, the police chief issued a memo prohibiting officers from signing plea agreements in traffic court. Then the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office used almost exactly the same language in its own memo June 1, followed by one from the Florida Highway Patrol on June 22.
The edicts prescribed that officers, deputies and troopers "must not be a party to any written plea agreement or orally state in court an opinion as to the appropriate disposition of a traffic case to include withholding adjudication, recommending court costs or any other sanctions. That responsibility rests solely with the presiding judge."
Hogue and sheriff's officials met with Palomino to share their concerns.
The judge took it to heart, somewhat testily.
When a deputy tried to recommend an enhanced penalty on Thursday, Palomino cut him short and reminded him of the new edict.
"They told me, 'My deputies won't tell you how to sentence, you don't tell us how to charge,' " Palomino said.
The deputy looked sheepish. "Wow," someone whispered.
Since the memos, officers are back to sitting in court and waiting -- sometimes all day.
The 454 cases before Palomino Thursday included 207 from Tampa police, 179 from the Sheriff's Office and 59 from the Florida Highway Patrol. A blur of navy, forest green and tan uniforms squeezed into benches, jury seats and aisles, spilled out of the courtroom and forced members of the public to wait outside until their cases were called.
"This place gets worse and worse," a lawyer muttered as he pushed his way to an open space.
Officers have to be there or else their case is automatically dismissed. So just showing up will often prompt a "no contest" plea from a defendant who hoped the officer wouldn't make it.
As the hours dragged on, one officer likened getting his cases called to winning the lottery. Another's phone rang with a text message from a colleague sitting across the crowded room.
This s---s, it read.
Local traffic lawyers might not put it quite that way, but those contacted by the Times seem to share the sentiment.
They argue against Hogue's rule, saying the officer who wrote the ticket and saw the driver's demeanor should have a say about a suitable punishment.
They believe the judge is now convicting more drivers, and suspect that the police chief and Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee are behind it. Fines are collected only when someone is found guilty, they point out.
"They're treating traffic tickets like somebody robbed a bank," attorney Ty Trayner said. "They're just traffic tickets."
But law enforcement leaders said the revenue that comes to their agencies from tickets is hardly worth discussing.
"Traffic citations are not anything that anyone makes money on," Hogue said.
On average, Tampa takes in about $14 for every ticket written, he said. That doesn't even pay for the 20 to 25 minutes it takes to write them, he said.
Highway Patrol Maj. Thomas Knight said it's about ethics, not money.
Attorney backlash
On Aug. 9, Palomino went away to a conference.
Lawyers knew it, and some sought to add about six months' worth of motions to that day's calendar. Nine lawyers persuaded Senior Judge Elvin Martinez to dismiss nearly 900 tickets that had legal defects.
Of those, about 700 belonged to attorney Dennis Lopez, according to court records.
"It sounds like a high number, but it's just a small percentage of my cases," Lopez said. And they were motions that "would normally get granted in due course."
Even before the late additions, the docket had bulged with 400 cases. Court lasted until 10:30 p.m., said Carla Snavely, chief deputy of courts for the clerk's office.
On Friday, Palomino said he knew nothing about it.
Clocking overtime
Many officers reporting to court are off duty. Union contracts allow them to collect a minimum of overtime pay for time spent in court on their days off. Even if court takes just 15 minutes, the officer is entitled to three hours overtime with the Tampa police, 2 1/2 hours with the Highway Patrol or two hours with the Sheriff's Office.
Could that be an incentive for bosses, who already are paying for officers to sit in court, to make sure they're getting their money's worth?
Leaders in each agency said the overtime factor had nothing to do with their decision to ban officers from participating in the plea agreements.
In fact, Hogue says his moratorium has increased overtime. "This is costing us more money, no question about it."
As for the on-duty officers, there's an equally worrisome issue: "Obviously, if they're in court testifying, they're not on the road," said sheriff's Col. Greg Brown.
It's hard to get solid numbers showing the financial impact traffic court has had on overtime pay and on street patrols. All of the agencies said they track overtime claimed for court duty, but they don't differentiate between traffic court and criminal court.
Still, Maj. John Bennett, head of special operations, which includes the police traffic division, said he knows anecdotally that officers are spending more time sitting in court than ever before.
"We shouldn't have to live at the courthouse on our days off," said Kevin Durkin, president of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association. "It's frustrating to sit in court all day and never testify - whether you're getting overtime or not. It's boring."
So, are the streets less safe with all those cops tied up in court? Agency leaders say that, so far, they're handling the demand.
In Tampa, crash figures continue to be down over last year, according to the police. April and May accidents were down 26 and 22 percent, respectively.
But the drop has been less dramatic in the two months since Hogue issued his memo. In June, crashes were down 21 percent. In July, the drop was 17 percent.
Solutions
Palomino, who jokes that his docket could fill a convention room, has gotten some relief. More is on the way.
A hearing officer, who already had been handling some traffic cases during the week, began holding night traffic court every other Thursday this summer.
And starting Sept. 4, County Judge Joelle Ann Ober will take over half of Palomino's docket, holding traffic court each Tuesday and possibly another day if needed, Menendez said.
Officials also will stagger hearing times. Instead of everyone on Palomino's morning docket showing up at 8:30 a.m., some will be asked to arrive at 10 a.m.
"We've got to get people in and out," Menendez said.
Pinellas County holds traffic court every day in two places, plus night court in two locations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. And the caseload is smaller than in Hillsborough: 203,000 civil and criminal traffic citations last year.
An understatement
Remember Officer Yeoman, coming to court Thursday morning on three hours sleep?
The clock read 5:04 p.m. when Palomino called the final case, a speeding ticket Yeoman wrote. The lawyer quickly entered a no-contest plea, and the judge withheld adjudication. Yeoman didn't have to say a word.
Walking to his patrol car -- home away from home until shift's end at 1:30 a.m. -- the still good-natured officer uttered this understatement: "It makes for a very long day."
Staff photographer Ken Helle contributed to this report. Rebecca Catalanello can be reached at 813 226-3383 or rcatalanello@sptimes.com.
Labels: Driving Record, Florida, Ticket, Traffic School, Traffic Tickets
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Countdown to 12 Hours of Sebring Podcast
This podcast details the Panoz Motorsports' effort prior to the 2006 Mobil 12 Hours of Sebring. On Saturday, March 17th 2007, the opening round of the American Le Mans Series and America’s premier sports car endurance race starts at 10 am. Click here to listen to the mp3.
Click the iTunes button to launch and listen on iTunes.
Labels: Florida, Racing, Technology, Traffic School
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
baynews9.com - News: Massive enforcement effort results in 2,400 tickets
2,400 tickets on U.S. 19 in Pinellas County Florida in January 2006
In an attempt to reduce the number of pedestrians hit on U.S. 19 in Pinellas County Florida, law enforcement had a month long massive traffic enforcement crackdown culminating in about 2,400 tickets and 61 arrests.
In an attempt to reduce the number of pedestrians hit on U.S. 19 in Pinellas County Florida, law enforcement had a month long massive traffic enforcement crackdown culminating in about 2,400 tickets and 61 arrests.
Labels: Court and Laws, Florida, Traffic School
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
New Stricter Florida Teen Driving Proposals
Florida considering increasing resictions on Teen drivers:
Jesse White's New Teen driving proposals includes:
- 9 month learner's permit
- curfew at 10 p.m. on weekdays and at 11 p.m. on weekends
- 12 months restricted to a maximum of one unrelated teen passenger in the vehicle enforced violations by a ticket.
- 6 Hours manditary actual street driving for student drivers
- Create a graduated driver licensing system
- - - teen required to drive conviction-free for nine months on a learner's permit
- - - teen required to drive conviction-free for six months on a restricted driver's license
- - - teen required to drive conviction-free for six months and turn 18 before obtaining a full license.
- Ticketed underage drivers appear with guardian to receive court supervision.
- New tougher penalties for street racing
Jesse White's New Teen driving proposals includes:
- 9 month learner's permit
- curfew at 10 p.m. on weekdays and at 11 p.m. on weekends
- 12 months restricted to a maximum of one unrelated teen passenger in the vehicle enforced violations by a ticket.
- 6 Hours manditary actual street driving for student drivers
- Create a graduated driver licensing system
- - - teen required to drive conviction-free for nine months on a learner's permit
- - - teen required to drive conviction-free for six months on a restricted driver's license
- - - teen required to drive conviction-free for six months and turn 18 before obtaining a full license.
- Ticketed underage drivers appear with guardian to receive court supervision.
- New tougher penalties for street racing
Labels: Florida, Racing, Traffic School
Sunday, January 28, 2007
"Move Over Law" not new but still unknown to Florida Drivers
In 2002, the "Move Over Law" was enacted, but to most drivers almost five years later it is still unknown. The law was passed to help save the lives of law enforcement. Florida Highway Patrol will be ticketing to make the public more aware. The "Move Over Law" requires drivers to move over one lane or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit any time an emergency vehicle is stopped along the side of the road. So beware and be careful.
Troopers out to enforce Move Over law
Troopers out to enforce Move Over law
Labels: Court and Laws, Florida, Traffic School
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Op Ed - Hernando: New House confused on goals
Hernando: New House confused on goals: "All police and sheriff's offices have different units (traffic, crime, etc.). The job of the traffic unit is to issue tickets to people who are speeding. Their goal is to save lives. If the speed limit is 40 mph, that doesn't translate to 50 mph ... If you are doing 9-10 mph over the posted speed limit, you are speeding. It's a very simple concept. You may have noticed that cars come with all types of interesting gadgets these days: Directionals to signal turns and lane changes (rarely used by most drivers), speedometers (if you look it actually tells you that you are going too fast; a handy little thing!) and other devices that are meant to keep us safe.
Speeders put not only themselves in danger, but they put the lives of the real innocent people in danger as well ...
Speeders put not only themselves in danger, but they put the lives of the real innocent people in danger as well ...
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Woman Ticketed For Putting Up Light To Slow Speeding Drivers - News Of The Strange
Woman Ticketed For Putting Up Light To Slow Speeding Drivers - News Of The Strange: "Woman Ticketed For Putting Up Light To Slow Speeding Drivers
POSTED: 12:54 pm EST January 11, 2007
UPDATED: 12:54 pm EST January 11, 2007
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. -- A Florida woman is fed up with drivers who speed through her neighborhood, so she decided to do something about it."
POSTED: 12:54 pm EST January 11, 2007
UPDATED: 12:54 pm EST January 11, 2007
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. -- A Florida woman is fed up with drivers who speed through her neighborhood, so she decided to do something about it."
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Smarthouse - Safety
Smarthouse - Safety: "Avoid Speeding Tickets With Smart Technology
Manisha Kanetkar - Monday, 30 October 2006
Siemens has announced a system which claims to automatically recognize speed limits on traffic signs and even adjust your speed accordingly.
According to the company, the Pro-Pilot system uses a CMOS camera installed near the rear-view mirror to continuously scan the road for traffic signs. The images are then compared with patterns of speed limit signs stored in the system's memory. If the software discovers a speed limit, the system notifies the driver by showing the value in the speedometer or in a head-up display. If cruise control is on, the car automatically decelerates to stay within the speed limit. Siemens also claims the system can recognize changeable speed limits and signs which impose limits only at certain times.
But, you'll have to sit tight for a while as Siemens says the system is scheduled to into series production in about two years. Several auto-makers have already tried out the luxury test vehicle fitted with the system and 'expressed strong interest in the recognition system', however, the system at this stage will only work in new vehicles as retro-fitting will be too expensive,' the company said in a statement.
See: www.siemens.com"
Manisha Kanetkar - Monday, 30 October 2006
Siemens has announced a system which claims to automatically recognize speed limits on traffic signs and even adjust your speed accordingly.
According to the company, the Pro-Pilot system uses a CMOS camera installed near the rear-view mirror to continuously scan the road for traffic signs. The images are then compared with patterns of speed limit signs stored in the system's memory. If the software discovers a speed limit, the system notifies the driver by showing the value in the speedometer or in a head-up display. If cruise control is on, the car automatically decelerates to stay within the speed limit. Siemens also claims the system can recognize changeable speed limits and signs which impose limits only at certain times.
But, you'll have to sit tight for a while as Siemens says the system is scheduled to into series production in about two years. Several auto-makers have already tried out the luxury test vehicle fitted with the system and 'expressed strong interest in the recognition system', however, the system at this stage will only work in new vehicles as retro-fitting will be too expensive,' the company said in a statement.
See: www.siemens.com"
Labels: Florida, Technology, Traffic School
Sunday, October 29, 2006
4-Hour and 8-hour DMV certified Tampa Traffic School courses
4-Hour and 8-hour DMV certified Tampa Traffic School courses
Press Release Author = eStateTrafficSchool.com
Industry = Education
Press Release Summary = Internet based training on online traffic school course is
being rendered at lower prices from eStateTrafficSchool.com
Press Release Body = Unfortunately, most drivers eventually receives a traffic
ticket for violating the vehicle code. Most Tampa courts allows driver to take
traffic school to "erase" the ticket from their DMV record. This helps them to keep
auto insurance premiums lower.
The eStateTrafficSchool.com Online Course formulated by www.eStateTrafficSchool.com , is a exceptional form of training that any driver can take the course. It helps you to clear traffic related constraints like traffic tickets, points and fines. Tampa county traffic school online course is state approved and satisfies legal requirements to seek a traffic school course. It helps everyone to master the road rules and the basic mechanisms of good driving.
Features of eStateTrafficSchool.com Online School Tampa Traffic Course:
* Online Learning
* State conformed syllabus taught in an interactive fashion.
* Same day certificate processing
* Provides high quality material at low prices.
Other extra features of www.eStateTrafficSchool.com , being internet
based and totally user controlled, you can save a lot of time and effort. You need
not attend any class room sessions unlike the traditional schools. There is no
confinement of a single shot completion as the course allows multiple sittings
avoiding the obligation.
About http://www.eStateTrafficSchool.com , eStateTrafficSchool.com offers Florida 4-Hour Traffic School Course and Florida 8-Hour Traffic School Course is DMV approved in State and now dismisses the traffic tickets and removes the points on driving records.
Web Site = http://www.eStateTrafficSchool.com
Press Release Author = eStateTrafficSchool.com
Industry = Education
Press Release Summary = Internet based training on online traffic school course is
being rendered at lower prices from eStateTrafficSchool.com
Press Release Body = Unfortunately, most drivers eventually receives a traffic
ticket for violating the vehicle code. Most Tampa courts allows driver to take
traffic school to "erase" the ticket from their DMV record. This helps them to keep
auto insurance premiums lower.
The eStateTrafficSchool.com Online Course formulated by www.eStateTrafficSchool.com , is a exceptional form of training that any driver can take the course. It helps you to clear traffic related constraints like traffic tickets, points and fines. Tampa county traffic school online course is state approved and satisfies legal requirements to seek a traffic school course. It helps everyone to master the road rules and the basic mechanisms of good driving.
Features of eStateTrafficSchool.com Online School Tampa Traffic Course:
* Online Learning
* State conformed syllabus taught in an interactive fashion.
* Same day certificate processing
* Provides high quality material at low prices.
Other extra features of www.eStateTrafficSchool.com , being internet
based and totally user controlled, you can save a lot of time and effort. You need
not attend any class room sessions unlike the traditional schools. There is no
confinement of a single shot completion as the course allows multiple sittings
avoiding the obligation.
About http://www.eStateTrafficSchool.com , eStateTrafficSchool.com offers Florida 4-Hour Traffic School Course and Florida 8-Hour Traffic School Course is DMV approved in State and now dismisses the traffic tickets and removes the points on driving records.
Web Site = http://www.eStateTrafficSchool.com
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Dead Man Ticketed For Speed
Dead Man Ticketed For Speed: By ANTHONY McCARTNEY The Tampa Tribune, Oct 10, 2006
SARASOTA - When Trooper S.D. Murray pulled over a Kia speeding north on Interstate 75 on Sept. 29, he inadvertently gave a ticket to a dead man.
Murray issued a speeding ticket in the name of Angilo Freeland, who killed a Polk County deputy and his canine partner, DiOGi, about 45 minutes after Freeland was shot and killed while hiding in a wooded area near Lakeland.
The actual recipient of the ticket, Christina Richardson of Englewood, hadn't heard of Freeland until contacted by a reporter Monday. She had wondered why Freeland's name and address were on her ticket, however.
Murray looked at Freeland's information and photo on his in-car computer so that he would recognize the 27-year-old if he stopped him, Lt. Doug Dodson said.
When he pulled Richardson over at about 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 29 for driving 93 in a 70-mph zone, he inadvertently pasted Freeland's driver's license info into Richardson's ticket, Dodson said.
Freeland's license expired in 2003. When he was stopped for speeding in Lakeland on Sept. 28, he presented Deputy Doug Speirs with a fraudulently obtained ID card with the name of another man.
Speirs was suspicious, and Freeland ran into the woods, ambushing Williams and DiOGi. Both died and Speirs was wounded in the leg.
When she was stopped, Richardson was driving with a friend and didn't notice the error until she tried to pay the ticket.
Clerks in Sarasota County and reporters contacted the highway patrol, and troopers worked to correct the error Monday.
Murray's mistake won't be a lucky break for Richardson, who will receive a ticket with the corrected info, Dodson said.
SARASOTA - When Trooper S.D. Murray pulled over a Kia speeding north on Interstate 75 on Sept. 29, he inadvertently gave a ticket to a dead man.
Murray issued a speeding ticket in the name of Angilo Freeland, who killed a Polk County deputy and his canine partner, DiOGi, about 45 minutes after Freeland was shot and killed while hiding in a wooded area near Lakeland.
The actual recipient of the ticket, Christina Richardson of Englewood, hadn't heard of Freeland until contacted by a reporter Monday. She had wondered why Freeland's name and address were on her ticket, however.
Murray looked at Freeland's information and photo on his in-car computer so that he would recognize the 27-year-old if he stopped him, Lt. Doug Dodson said.
When he pulled Richardson over at about 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 29 for driving 93 in a 70-mph zone, he inadvertently pasted Freeland's driver's license info into Richardson's ticket, Dodson said.
Freeland's license expired in 2003. When he was stopped for speeding in Lakeland on Sept. 28, he presented Deputy Doug Speirs with a fraudulently obtained ID card with the name of another man.
Speirs was suspicious, and Freeland ran into the woods, ambushing Williams and DiOGi. Both died and Speirs was wounded in the leg.
When she was stopped, Richardson was driving with a friend and didn't notice the error until she tried to pay the ticket.
Clerks in Sarasota County and reporters contacted the highway patrol, and troopers worked to correct the error Monday.
Murray's mistake won't be a lucky break for Richardson, who will receive a ticket with the corrected info, Dodson said.
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Hawthorne to operate own police department | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, Fla.
Hawthorne to operate own police department | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, Fla.:
... U.S. 301, which runs through Waldo and Lawtey - towns designated by the AAA as speed traps - also runs through Hawthorne. ...
... U.S. 301, which runs through Waldo and Lawtey - towns designated by the AAA as speed traps - also runs through Hawthorne. ...
Labels: Florida, Ohio, Traffic School
Hawthorne to operate own police department | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, Fla.
Hawthorne to operate own police department | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, Fla.:
... U.S. 301, which runs through Waldo and Lawtey - towns designated by the AAA as speed traps - also runs through Hawthorne. ...
... U.S. 301, which runs through Waldo and Lawtey - towns designated by the AAA as speed traps - also runs through Hawthorne. ...
Labels: Florida, Ohio, Traffic School
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
ContraCostaTimes.com | 09/24/2006 | New state law promotes highway safety
ContraCostaTimes.com | 09/24/2006 | New state law promotes highway safety: "New state law promotes highway safety
Governor reverses his stance by signing bill that requires motorists to slow down and change lanes to avoid roadside emergency
By Gary Richards
MEDIANEWS
Less than a year after he vetoed a bill requiring California drivers to move over or slow down when approaching a roadside emergency along state highways, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reversed course and signed the 'Move Over, Slow Down' legislation.
The bill sponsored by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, mirrors laws in 37 states and goes into effect Jan. 1.
'I am gratified by the governor's signature of this common sense solution to a preventable problem,' Simitian said in a news release. 'This bill is about promoting highway safety, plain and simple. I hope that it will put a stop to the senseless deaths of police officers, tow truck drivers, paramedics, and other emergency personnel who are simply helping stranded motorists.'
The law was the brainchild of tow truck driver Daniel Leon of Hayward.
The governor vetoed the bill last year, saying that forcing drivers to change lanes could pose additional risks in a state where traffic congestion is among the worst in the country. At the time, Schwarzenegger called the bill 'unnecessary' and said it 'could result in the unintended consequences of additional roadway hazards' by causing unnecessary lane changes.
In the past five years, errant drivers have killed a dozen police officers and state road workers. Since 1924, nearly 200 have been killed.
In Florida, a law enacted in 2002 is promoted on billboards and electronic signs, and troopers hand out pamphlets explaining it. No officers have been killed by errant drivers since.
The national "Move Over" campaign took off in earnest, six years ago, led partly by Lara Feinberg, whose husband is a state trooper in North Carolina. After his partner was killed in a roadside accident, she led the effort to enact legislation in that state and others.
Governor reverses his stance by signing bill that requires motorists to slow down and change lanes to avoid roadside emergency
By Gary Richards
MEDIANEWS
Less than a year after he vetoed a bill requiring California drivers to move over or slow down when approaching a roadside emergency along state highways, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reversed course and signed the 'Move Over, Slow Down' legislation.
The bill sponsored by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, mirrors laws in 37 states and goes into effect Jan. 1.
'I am gratified by the governor's signature of this common sense solution to a preventable problem,' Simitian said in a news release. 'This bill is about promoting highway safety, plain and simple. I hope that it will put a stop to the senseless deaths of police officers, tow truck drivers, paramedics, and other emergency personnel who are simply helping stranded motorists.'
The law was the brainchild of tow truck driver Daniel Leon of Hayward.
The governor vetoed the bill last year, saying that forcing drivers to change lanes could pose additional risks in a state where traffic congestion is among the worst in the country. At the time, Schwarzenegger called the bill 'unnecessary' and said it 'could result in the unintended consequences of additional roadway hazards' by causing unnecessary lane changes.
In the past five years, errant drivers have killed a dozen police officers and state road workers. Since 1924, nearly 200 have been killed.
In Florida, a law enacted in 2002 is promoted on billboards and electronic signs, and troopers hand out pamphlets explaining it. No officers have been killed by errant drivers since.
The national "Move Over" campaign took off in earnest, six years ago, led partly by Lara Feinberg, whose husband is a state trooper in North Carolina. After his partner was killed in a roadside accident, she led the effort to enact legislation in that state and others.
Labels: California, Florida, North Carolina, Traffic School
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
TCPalm: Local News Indian River deputy goes undercover to catch speeders near schools
TCPalm: Local News: "Indian River deputy goes undercover to catch speeders near schools"
He said deputies wrote 14 citations in the first of two sessions. One motorist was even caught going 52 mph in the school zone, earning the driver a citation for $555 and four points on his license if he doesn't attend traffic school.
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Drivers' book deal flunks audit
The sole advertiser in the state manual employed a lobbyist now married to the highway agency director.
By STEVE BOUSQUET, Times Staff WriterPublished July 14, 2006
TALLAHASSEE - The wife of Florida's top highway safety official lobbied for a company that landed a lucrative contract from his agency. State auditors said Thursday the public should have been told about it.
The review focuses on Fred Dickinson, the executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. His agency last year awarded a five-year contract to a private company, National Safety Commission, to distribute the Official Florida Driver's Handbook.
The handbook is distributed for free at motor vehicle offices, but the company charged $6.95 to mail it.
And the company got the exclusive right to advertise its driver safety courses in the book.
The audit is the latest in a long-running series of reviews that have called into question the way the Bush administration administers contracts.
The state did not pay the company for printing and distributing the handbook but gave the company permission to charge shipping costs and include free advertising, matters also questioned by the audit.
The company, owned by Ken Underwood of Ponte Vedra Beach, was the only bidder for the contract. His lobbyist was Dickinson's wife, Sherry, the agency's former director of legislative affairs. She also lobbied for five other firms that did business with Dickinson's agency.
She dropped those clients in May after Gov. Jeb Bush said the arrangement gave "the appearance of impropriety."
"She never lobbied the department, so I knew there was no influence on her part," said Dickinson, who answers to the governor and Cabinet and has run the agency since 1992. "We need to document when we're aware that maybe there's a conflict."
Underwood's competitors say they did not anticipate how deeply his ads in the handbook would undercut their ability to attract students who take courses in driver safety and drug and alcohol awareness. Some driving schools say they have had to lay off employees as a result.
The handbook resembles a government document. The cover features the official state seal; inside are six full pages of advertising for Underwood's Lowest Price Traffic School, the only school allowed to advertise in the book.
The Auditor General said the public should have been alerted to the "potential conflicts of interest" involved in allowing Sherry Dickinson to lobby for firms that did business with her husband's agency.
The Auditor General also said the Legislature should amend ethics laws because such arrangements could affect public confidence in awarding of government contracts.
Dickinson noted that auditors concluded there was no evidence that the relationship between the National Safety Commission and his wife "directly influenced" award of the handbook contract.
The audit said the agency "did not document in the public record its consideration and disposition of any potential conflicts of interest identified in connection with the evaluation of the vendor response."
The audit also questioned whether the agency had the authority to allow the vendor to charge a $6.95 shipping fee for each handbook, or to allow the vendor to advertise in them. Auditors recommended that the Legislature analyze the effect such advertising may have on industry competition.
Dickinson defended the contract as a good deal for taxpayers. The agency estimates a savings of $2.5-million over five years, but Underwood said the actual savings will be higher. Underwood would not say what the deal was worth to his company.
Critics of the handbook contract say the audit confirms their suspicions.
"It seems like they have been susceptible to influence, and this audit supports that," said John Pesack, vice president for operations at Driver Training Associates in Lakeland.
Kim Jowell, who runs Suncoast Safety Council in Clearwater, said of the handbook deal: "It wasn't an arm's-length arrangement. That's the bottom line. And it just shouldn't have been done."
Driving schools wish the state had followed its old system that referred drivers to the Yellow Pages. But more and more motorists use the Internet, and the motor vehicle agency's Web site contains a link to Lowest Price Traffic School -- "proud sponsor of the Florida Drivers Handbook."
Underwood said he hired Sherry Dickinson in 2003 mainly because of her political ties to then-Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville. At the time, the vendor wanted a bill passed to require 15- and 16-year-olds to take a basic driver improvement course, but the measure did not pass.
Underwood said that when he hired Sherry Dickinson as his lobbyist in 2003, she and Fred Dickinson were not yet married. They married three months later.
"I can't really fire someone just because she's married to the director of the department," Underwood said.
Sherry Dickinson's lobbyist expenditure report shows she was paid between $10,000 and $19,999 to lobby for the National Safety Commission in the first quarter of this year. She withdrew as the firm's lobbyist May 16.
Underwood's competitors say his exclusive advertising deal in a state-issued handbook gives him an unfair competitive advantage.
Underwood says his critics could have bid on the contract, too, but didn't. Jowell, of Clearwater, said she didn't because she could not afford the $1-million performance bond requirement.
"I don't deny that he's a great businessman," Jowell said of Underwood. "But basically the state is aiding him in controlling the market."
"Hogwash," said Underwood, who claims to use 24 different marketing devices to promote his driving school. "These people complain, but they didn't even show up for the dance."
Times staff writer Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com or 850 224-7263.
© Copyright, St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Local & State News - Tampa Bay's 10 - tampabays10.com
Local & State News - Tampa Bay's 10 - tampabays10.com: "TPD hands out citations to pedestrians
Tampa, Florida - Tampa Police Officers handed out warnings to walkers and citations to drivers this morning between 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM in downtown Tampa at the corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Ashley Street.
So far this year, the victims were at fault in three out of the last four pedestrian fatalities. Officers are trying to stop that trend with this new campaign. They will give out warnings to people violating pedestrian laws and write citations to drivers.
Here are the finished stats for Operation Pedestrian Safety initiative:
45 traffic citations, 7 of these citations were for drivers violating pedestrian's right-of-way in cross walk.
23 warnings issued to pedestrians not properly using the cross walks
1 arrest for No Valid Driver's License.
A recent study notes that more than 70 percent of pedestrian accidents occur mid-block where walkers are not supposed to cross. This campaign will begin in Downtown Tampa, but will cover several areas of the city over the summer months.
The campaign kicks off one day before 20,000 additional pedestrians will be in town for the Shriner's Convention."
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
baynews9.com - News : FHP cracks down on speeders
FHP cracks down on speeders
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Speeders will have to pay a hefty fine.Traveling along I-4 in Polk County has become a lot easier now that construction barriers are gone and the median and lanes are wider. However, that's causing more drivers to speed. An average speed check conducted Wednesday shows drivers were traveling an average of 70 miles per hour, which is the speed limit.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Speeders will have to pay a hefty fine.Traveling along I-4 in Polk County has become a lot easier now that construction barriers are gone and the median and lanes are wider. However, that's causing more drivers to speed. An average speed check conducted Wednesday shows drivers were traveling an average of 70 miles per hour, which is the speed limit.
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Sunday, June 11, 2006
First Coast News - Local News - New, Higher Fines For Speeding On The Way For Certain First Coast Roads
First Coast News - Local News - New, Higher Fines For Speeding On The Way For Certain First Coast Roads: "New, Higher Fines For Speeding On The Way For Certain First Coast Roads, Start Video
By Grayson Kamm, First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- After several deadly crashes on the First Coast, state troopers are cracking down on speeders. For you, that will soon mean higher fines, and not getting away with only going three or four miles over the speed limit." ...
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Hernando County speed traps on Mariner in Brooksville Florida
Hernando Today - Online Edition: "alert the hundreds of motorists who use Mariner Boulevard what a great speed trap is on this street.
When this road was a two-lane road the speed limit was 40 mph. When it was opened, the traffic department just moved the speed limit signs and kept the old limit.
Therefore all of Mariner's speed limit is 45, even around Northcliffe and yet as soon as you get to St. Augustine (going north) or Elgin Boulevard (going south}, it is reduced to 40 mph.
The sheriff knows this, but of course this make great income for the county.
I wonder how many drivers have paid a fine thanks to the great traffic engineers in Hernando County. "
When this road was a two-lane road the speed limit was 40 mph. When it was opened, the traffic department just moved the speed limit signs and kept the old limit.
Therefore all of Mariner's speed limit is 45, even around Northcliffe and yet as soon as you get to St. Augustine (going north) or Elgin Boulevard (going south}, it is reduced to 40 mph.
The sheriff knows this, but of course this make great income for the county.
I wonder how many drivers have paid a fine thanks to the great traffic engineers in Hernando County. "
Labels: Florida, Traffic School
Monday, March 06, 2006
Florida Highway Patrol to Step Up Speeding Patrols | theledger.com
FHP to Step Up Speeding Patrols | theledger.com
FHP to Step Up Speeding Patrols
Drivers will see more state troopers patrolling Florida's highways through today in an attempt to curtail speeders, officials said.
Troopers on motorcycles and in unmarked patrol cars will track speeders using radar and video cameras. They will also patrol from the air, spotting speeders from planes and sending grounded troopers their way. And troopers will look for motorists who don't move over or slow down for patrol cars that have stopped on the shoulder or median and have their lights flashing.
FHP to Step Up Speeding Patrols
Drivers will see more state troopers patrolling Florida's highways through today in an attempt to curtail speeders, officials said.
Troopers on motorcycles and in unmarked patrol cars will track speeders using radar and video cameras. They will also patrol from the air, spotting speeders from planes and sending grounded troopers their way. And troopers will look for motorists who don't move over or slow down for patrol cars that have stopped on the shoulder or median and have their lights flashing.
Labels: Florida
Bradenton Florida - Highway patrol launches new push against speeding
Bradenton Herald | 03/02/2006 | Highway patrol launches new push against speeding
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Highway Patrol this morning announced it has launched the next phase of its highway safety campaign targeting speeders in an attempt to reduce deaths and injuries on the state's roads.
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Highway Patrol this morning announced it has launched the next phase of its highway safety campaign targeting speeders in an attempt to reduce deaths and injuries on the state's roads.
Labels: Florida
Friday, February 17, 2006
WCJB - TV20 News - Your Home Team - Gainesville - Lake City - Ocala
WCJB - TV20 News - Your Home Team - Gainesville - Lake City - Ocala: "Double DUI Arrests
2/16/2006
By Michelle Brown/WCJB TV 20 News
Its a effort to curb drinking and driving at the University of Florida. The number of DUI arrests on campus more than doubled from 2004 to 2005. One reason is because University Police officers set up their first campus DUI check point last year. 111 people were arrested in 2005. That's compared to 44 arrests in 2004. A police spokesperson says the increase is partly because of President Machen's crackdown on drinking, something new UPD Chief Linda stump also feels strongly about.
Lt. Joe Sharkey says, 'She came to our agency with a very pro-active stance on alcohol enforcement.'
Police plan to set up check points at UF every few months. Besides criminal charges, any student caught drinking and driving can also be suspended from school. "
2/16/2006
By Michelle Brown/WCJB TV 20 News
Its a effort to curb drinking and driving at the University of Florida. The number of DUI arrests on campus more than doubled from 2004 to 2005. One reason is because University Police officers set up their first campus DUI check point last year. 111 people were arrested in 2005. That's compared to 44 arrests in 2004. A police spokesperson says the increase is partly because of President Machen's crackdown on drinking, something new UPD Chief Linda stump also feels strongly about.
Lt. Joe Sharkey says, 'She came to our agency with a very pro-active stance on alcohol enforcement.'
Police plan to set up check points at UF every few months. Besides criminal charges, any student caught drinking and driving can also be suspended from school. "
Labels: Florida
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Citrus County Florida Sheriff's traffic operation nets 180 stops
On Friday, five teams of deputies were stationed throughout the county to target speeding, red light running and other offenses.DAWN REISSPublished January 29, 2006
In an effort to curb aggressive driving, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office made 180 traffic stops on Friday.
Five three-member teams of deputies observed 10 intersections in the county from 7 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.
Each team had a deputy in plainclothes stationed at an intersection. That deputy radioed violations to the two other deputies who were in marked cars away from the intersection, who then made the traffic stops. The deputies found drugs in seven vehicles and made seven misdemeanor arrests, found three outstanding warrants and made one felony arrest. They issued 25 citations and 42 warnings for running red lights and distributed 151 pamphlets about running red lights and aggressive driving. One hundred seventeen additional warnings and 29 additional citations were issued.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Gail Tierney said the traffic detail was a success.
"It put a serious dent in the problems at those intersections," Tierney said. "The numbers were pretty high, higher than we'd like to have, but in same breath, it is a legitimate way to face drivers who practice those kinds of habits." The teams started at U.S. 41 and Norvell Bryant Highway, State Road 44 and U.S. 41, SR 44 and County Road 491, U.S. 19 and Grover Cleveland Boulevard, and SR 44 and CR 486. If no violations were observed within a 60-minute period, the teams relocated to U.S. 41 and Croft Avenue, SR 44 and U.S. 41 (near Griff's Bar in Inverness), CR 491 and CR 486, U.S. 19 and CR 490, and U.S. 19 and Venable Street.
The teams targeted speeders, red light runners, tailgaters and drivers who weave in and out of traffic. The teams also used drug-sniffing canine units.
"Traffic complaints are the largest number of complaints to the sheriff's department and probably the biggest concern of citizens in the county," Tierney said. "Periodically, we try to do special details to attack driving under the influence or, in this case, aggressive driving. If nothing else, it at least makes law enforcement presence known and hopefully is an educational process for drivers here in the county."
© Copyright, St. Petersburg Times.
In an effort to curb aggressive driving, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office made 180 traffic stops on Friday.
Five three-member teams of deputies observed 10 intersections in the county from 7 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.
Each team had a deputy in plainclothes stationed at an intersection. That deputy radioed violations to the two other deputies who were in marked cars away from the intersection, who then made the traffic stops. The deputies found drugs in seven vehicles and made seven misdemeanor arrests, found three outstanding warrants and made one felony arrest. They issued 25 citations and 42 warnings for running red lights and distributed 151 pamphlets about running red lights and aggressive driving. One hundred seventeen additional warnings and 29 additional citations were issued.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Gail Tierney said the traffic detail was a success.
"It put a serious dent in the problems at those intersections," Tierney said. "The numbers were pretty high, higher than we'd like to have, but in same breath, it is a legitimate way to face drivers who practice those kinds of habits." The teams started at U.S. 41 and Norvell Bryant Highway, State Road 44 and U.S. 41, SR 44 and County Road 491, U.S. 19 and Grover Cleveland Boulevard, and SR 44 and CR 486. If no violations were observed within a 60-minute period, the teams relocated to U.S. 41 and Croft Avenue, SR 44 and U.S. 41 (near Griff's Bar in Inverness), CR 491 and CR 486, U.S. 19 and CR 490, and U.S. 19 and Venable Street.
The teams targeted speeders, red light runners, tailgaters and drivers who weave in and out of traffic. The teams also used drug-sniffing canine units.
"Traffic complaints are the largest number of complaints to the sheriff's department and probably the biggest concern of citizens in the county," Tierney said. "Periodically, we try to do special details to attack driving under the influence or, in this case, aggressive driving. If nothing else, it at least makes law enforcement presence known and hopefully is an educational process for drivers here in the county."
© Copyright, St. Petersburg Times.
Labels: Florida
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Largo Florida Speeders Get Tickets Part 2
Speeders left with less to buy presents - A helicopter helps patrols on Ulmerton Road snag drivers darting by a construction site. Fines reach $554.
VANESSA DE LA TORRE Published December 15, 2005
LARGO - The Florida Department of Transportation is widening Ulmerton from four to six lanes between Oakhurst Road and 119th Street. The project is expected to cost $16.9-million and be completed in late 2006, according to the state.
From 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, the sheriff's helicopter relayed information on speeders to units on the ground: some parked inside Walsingham Park, others visible en masse near the roadway.
Officers and deputies issued 41 citations, gave two warnings and arrested one for driving with a revoked license. The citations included 29 speeding tickets, two seat belt violations and a motorist busted for running a red light.
The average speeder drove 21 mph above the speed limit, incurring hefty fines that double when construction workers are present.
The cheapest ticket issued was for $254.40, while the most expensive topped $554.
But the goal wasn't to see how many tickets they could write, Luben said.
"Hopefully it's going to alleviate the problem. If not, we're ready to go out and find some more."
That could be as soon as next week, he said.
"The 500 or 600 other people that saw us out there now know we'll be doing strict enforcement," Luben said. "We're going to be doing that more. It was just the first time."
© Copyright 2003 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved
VANESSA DE LA TORRE Published December 15, 2005
LARGO - The Florida Department of Transportation is widening Ulmerton from four to six lanes between Oakhurst Road and 119th Street. The project is expected to cost $16.9-million and be completed in late 2006, according to the state.
From 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, the sheriff's helicopter relayed information on speeders to units on the ground: some parked inside Walsingham Park, others visible en masse near the roadway.
Officers and deputies issued 41 citations, gave two warnings and arrested one for driving with a revoked license. The citations included 29 speeding tickets, two seat belt violations and a motorist busted for running a red light.
The average speeder drove 21 mph above the speed limit, incurring hefty fines that double when construction workers are present.
The cheapest ticket issued was for $254.40, while the most expensive topped $554.
But the goal wasn't to see how many tickets they could write, Luben said.
"Hopefully it's going to alleviate the problem. If not, we're ready to go out and find some more."
That could be as soon as next week, he said.
"The 500 or 600 other people that saw us out there now know we'll be doing strict enforcement," Luben said. "We're going to be doing that more. It was just the first time."
© Copyright 2003 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved
Labels: Florida
Pinellas County Florida - Speeders left with less to buy presents AN EXPENSIVE LESSON
Speeders left with less to buy presents - A helicopter helps patrols on Ulmerton Road snag drivers darting by a construction site. Fines reach $554.
VANESSA DE LA TORRE Published December 15, 2005
AN EXPENSIVE LESSON
Pinellas County sheriff's deputies and Largo police Tuesday focused on catching speeders along the stretch of Ulmerton Road under construction. They handed out tickets with fines of $254.40 to $554.50. This is a breakdown of the violations:
Speeding - 29
Red light violations - 1
Seat belt violations - 2
Driving with a suspended or revoked license - 1
Other moving violations - 1
Nonmoving violations - 2
© Copyright 2003 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved
VANESSA DE LA TORRE Published December 15, 2005
AN EXPENSIVE LESSON
Pinellas County sheriff's deputies and Largo police Tuesday focused on catching speeders along the stretch of Ulmerton Road under construction. They handed out tickets with fines of $254.40 to $554.50. This is a breakdown of the violations:
© Copyright 2003 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved
Labels: Florida
Largo Florida Speeders Get Tickets Part 1
Speeders left with less to buy presents - A helicopter helps patrols on Ulmerton Road snag drivers darting by a construction site. Fines reach $554.
VANESSA DE LA TORRE - Published December 15, 2005
LARGO - Drivers speeding along Ulmerton Road near Ridgecrest Park got their early lumps of coal Tuesday morning, starting with police sirens and the approaching sight of black boots and a badge.
Then, for good measure, came the $400 traffic citations.
During a two-hour span, many motorists found they were no match for the Pinellas County sheriff's helicopter that clocked cars barreling down the narrow, curving and construction-ridden stretch of Ulmerton Road.
After spotting violators from the air, an officer would tell the 10 Largo police cars and sheriff's units working together to pull over speeders.
"It was no problem finding violators; that's for sure," said sheriff's Sgt. Glenn Luben, supervisor of the county's traffic enforcement unit.
The joint effort between Largo police and the Sheriff's Office was the first of its kind along that part of the road. About 31,500 cars and trucks use the road each day.
Traffic officers arranged the speeding detail after numerous calls from construction workers, residents and business owners complaining of reckless drivers ignoring the 35 mph speed limit and putting others at risk.
Luben said there had been an increased number of crashes in the area but wouldn't call it one of the most dangerous roadways. Still, "we didn't want to wait till it got to that point. . . . They have a legitimate complaint because the traffic is a mess, which is what happens when you have a construction site."
© Copyright 2003 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved
VANESSA DE LA TORRE - Published December 15, 2005
LARGO - Drivers speeding along Ulmerton Road near Ridgecrest Park got their early lumps of coal Tuesday morning, starting with police sirens and the approaching sight of black boots and a badge.
Then, for good measure, came the $400 traffic citations.
During a two-hour span, many motorists found they were no match for the Pinellas County sheriff's helicopter that clocked cars barreling down the narrow, curving and construction-ridden stretch of Ulmerton Road.
After spotting violators from the air, an officer would tell the 10 Largo police cars and sheriff's units working together to pull over speeders.
"It was no problem finding violators; that's for sure," said sheriff's Sgt. Glenn Luben, supervisor of the county's traffic enforcement unit.
The joint effort between Largo police and the Sheriff's Office was the first of its kind along that part of the road. About 31,500 cars and trucks use the road each day.
Traffic officers arranged the speeding detail after numerous calls from construction workers, residents and business owners complaining of reckless drivers ignoring the 35 mph speed limit and putting others at risk.
Luben said there had been an increased number of crashes in the area but wouldn't call it one of the most dangerous roadways. Still, "we didn't want to wait till it got to that point. . . . They have a legitimate complaint because the traffic is a mess, which is what happens when you have a construction site."
© Copyright 2003 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved
Labels: Florida
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Red Light Ticket Refunds Coming
Red Light Ticket Refunds Coming: "Red Light Ticket Refunds Coming
TAMPA - Beginning Monday, about $47,000 in refunds will be sent to motorists who were overcharged for red light tickets.
If you were issued a red light ticket before Oct. 1 in Hillsborough County and paid it after that date, your name might be on the list of about 720 motorists to receive $65 partial refunds, officials said Friday. This is the first wave of refunds from the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court's Office since an investigation by The Tampa Tribune found that the office was using an unfair and perhaps unconstitutional collection policy that set the cost of fines based on the day people paid rather than when the violation occurred.
A Tribune survey found that only two of Florida's 67 counties - Hillsborough and Monroe - used this approach. The policy was based on a misinterpretation of a Florida Constitution change last year."
TAMPA - Beginning Monday, about $47,000 in refunds will be sent to motorists who were overcharged for red light tickets.
If you were issued a red light ticket before Oct. 1 in Hillsborough County and paid it after that date, your name might be on the list of about 720 motorists to receive $65 partial refunds, officials said Friday. This is the first wave of refunds from the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court's Office since an investigation by The Tampa Tribune found that the office was using an unfair and perhaps unconstitutional collection policy that set the cost of fines based on the day people paid rather than when the violation occurred.
A Tribune survey found that only two of Florida's 67 counties - Hillsborough and Monroe - used this approach. The policy was based on a misinterpretation of a Florida Constitution change last year."
Labels: Florida
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Florida Highway troopers will be keeping a close watch on drivers who go ten to 15 miles over the speed limit Tampa Bay
FHP cracking down on speed limit violators -- Florida Highway troopers will be keeping a close watch on drivers who go ten to 15 miles over the speed limit.
It's part of Operation Safe Ride which began in early 2004.
The Florida Highway Patrol is targeting drivers ho drive even a little bit faster than the posted speed limit tomorrow and Wednesday.
Labels: Florida
Saturday, November 19, 2005
BSO To Ticket Drivers Speeding In School Zones
BSO To Ticket Drivers Speeding In School Zones Click10.com - Miami, FL, USA
One Broward Sheriff's Office deputy's sole duty Wednesday was to pull over drivers who were caught speeding through a school zone on a stretch of Federal ...
One Broward Sheriff's Office deputy's sole duty Wednesday was to pull over drivers who were caught speeding through a school zone on a stretch of Federal ...
Labels: Florida
Monday, October 10, 2005
FHP - Florida Highway Patrol - Traffic Incidents by Region
FHP - Florida Highway Patrol - Traffic Incidents by Region: "Traffic Incidents by Region
Reports are updated every five minutes. All reports are troop level reports, even when selected by county."
Reports are updated every five minutes. All reports are troop level reports, even when selected by county."
Labels: Florida
Friday, June 03, 2005
Enforcing safety, not revenue: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Enforcing safety, not revenue: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Enforcing safety, not revenue...A bigger step would be for the Florida Highway Patrol to modify the way that its officers enforce traffic laws. They should focus on improving highway safety by ticketing all unsafe driving practices, instead of just setting up speed traps where convenient for the purpose of acquiring revenue."
Labels: Florida
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
WESH.com - News - Boaters Ticketed For Drinking, Speeding
WESH.com - News - Boaters Ticketed For Drinking, Speeding: UPDATED: 9:49 am EDT May 30, 2005, MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. -- In Brevard County, officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee are using brand-new boats to look for people breaking the law this holiday.
Labels: Florida
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Hidden radar nabs speeders
Hidden radar nabs speeders, SWAT training comes in handy; BY LINDA JUMP, FLORIDA TODAY
Labels: Florida
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Lake Ida Road became speed trap: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Lake Ida Road became speed trap: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Lake Ida Road became speed trap: Wayne Inman, Delray Beach, Posted May 9 2005, Sun-Sentinel,
...I am talking about Lake Ida Road, which used to be a two-lane road with a speed limit of 40 mph. Increased population forced them to make it a four-lane highway. Instead of raising the speed limit to 45, they reduced it to 35 mph..."
...I am talking about Lake Ida Road, which used to be a two-lane road with a speed limit of 40 mph. Increased population forced them to make it a four-lane highway. Instead of raising the speed limit to 45, they reduced it to 35 mph..."
Labels: Florida
Friday, April 22, 2005
Speeding drivers: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Speeding drivers: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Speeding drivers
Jene Rizzo Tamarac Posted April 22 2005
The speed limit -- not requirement -- is 65 mph. Nobody -- nobody -- needs to drive 80 mph anywhere, anytime. "
Jene Rizzo Tamarac Posted April 22 2005
The speed limit -- not requirement -- is 65 mph. Nobody -- nobody -- needs to drive 80 mph anywhere, anytime. "
Labels: Florida
Saturday, April 16, 2005
OrlandoSentinel.com: Opinion
OrlandoSentinel.com: Opinion: "Starting in May, the state of Florida will begin a two-year test run of variable speed-limit signs along the busiest stretch of I-4, from Maitland Boulevard to John Young Parkway."
Labels: Florida
Lake City Reporter - Lake City, Florida
Lake City Reporter - Lake City, Florida: "Aggressive drivers beware. The car cruising in the next lane may be driven by an on-duty Florida Highway Patrol trooper."
Labels: Florida
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Dateline Alabama
Dateline Alabama: "The state is launching a yearlong campaign to make construction zones safer on major Florida highways.
Troopers will be dressing as construction workers to catch speeders. Fines are doubled for motorists speeding in work zones."
Troopers will be dressing as construction workers to catch speeders. Fines are doubled for motorists speeding in work zones."
Labels: Florida
Thursday, April 07, 2005
ABC7 News Online - Deputies target speeders in construction zones
ABC7 News Online - Deputies target speeders in construction zones: "Collier County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the Florida Highway Patrol to crack down on speeders in construction zones"
Labels: Florida
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
TheIndyChannel.com - News - Officer Handcuffs Doctor Speeding To Deliver Baby
TheIndyChannel.com - News - Officer Handcuffs Doctor Speeding To Deliver Baby: "FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A Florida police officer is being punished for handcuffing and ticketing a doctor who was speeding to deliver a baby. "
Labels: Florida
A few other useful links:
Centralaw for general Legal Issues,
Computer and Internet Law,
DUIFLA Motorsports at DirtyDetails.com,
DuiFla DUI DWI In Florida,
Your Florida Online Traffic School,
DUI in Tampa Bay Florida,
DUI in Hillsborough Florida
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