FHP cracks down on speeders

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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.

However, one driver was traveling 101 mph, which is the kind of aggressive driver the Florida Highway Patrol is looking for.

Trooper Larry Coggins said I-4 in Polk was slow going for so long, but now that the construction barricades are gone, some drivers are riding the gas a little too heavy.

"Here in Polk County, we maintain a presence on the interstate system both in marked and unmarked cars, and one of the main functions of the unmarked patrol car is to tackle the aggressive driving problem that we do see on the interstate system," Coggins said.

"It's not uncommon to see people traveling 100, 100-plus miles an hour here on the interstate. Fortunately our unmarked cars have been in the area and have been able to grab those people before they cause a vehicle crash."

FHP officials said if drivers are caught going more than 15 miles over the speed limit, they will be issued a $180 ticket. If they're caught traveling more than 30 miles over the speed limit, they'll be issued a $305 ticket.

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