More Florida Highway Patrol troopers will be on Bay area roads this weekend.
Eleven people have died so far this year as a result of wrong-way crashes along Tampa area highways. In an effort to crack down on this trend, FHP is launching the first of three intensive patrols targeting DUI and wrong-way driving.
"Impaired driving as well as the interstates and the high speeds that are involved on the interstates are impacting the seriousness of the crashes," said Col. David Bierton.
Trooper Joshua Campbell said he's been patrolling highways in Tampa for nearly seven years. He investigated three of the recent wrong-way crashes.
"This year has definitely been the worst that I've ever seen," said Trooper Campbell. "What's causing it, I don't know."
Several of the accidents have involved impaired drivers. Troopers from all across the state are coming to Tampa to help with the patrols.
"It will be a power statement as far as saying law enforcement is out here and we are cracking down on this problem," said Trooper Campbell.
The Florida Department of Transportation is working on the issue, too. The agency is putting up more "Wrong Way" signs and flashing markers on ramps with heavy traffic.
"We are also investigating other intelligent transportation devices that would detect folks who do U-turns on the interstate such as a few of the crashes that we had here within the Tampa Bay area," said Paul Steinman, FDOT District 7 Secretary.
Zebadiah Lanier's said his ex-wife was killed in a wrong-way driving crash last month in Tampa. He said he supports all of the efforts being made.
"I just want to make sure as a community, as a people, that no one ever has to go through what my family and other families have been through," said Lanier.
Additional troopers and members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will be participating in the heavy patrols starting Thursday night and running through Sunday.