Operation Southern Slow Down is back, and Florida’s not going it alone. For a week in July, the 13th through the 18th, law enforcement teams from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee will work together to rein in speeding and aggressive driving. They’re teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make the roads safer, especially during summer’s risky stretch.
The summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day isn’t just any hundred days; it’s the most dangerous on the calendar for teen drivers. Every year, studies from AAA and The Florida Safe Teen Driving Coalition show teen-involved fatal crashes spike during these months. More traffic, more teens on the road, and more risk.
To keep everyone safe, NHTSA shares 6 reminders:
1. If you double your speed, your stopping distance doesn’t just double—it quadruples.
2. Big vehicles need more room to stop, especially on hills, wet or rough roads.
3. Hit the brakes before you reach a curve.
4. Teens are watching, so drive the speed limit and set the standard.
5. Let tailgaters pass; don’t race them.
6. And seat belts? Always buckle up.
Simple steps, but they make a difference, especially when the stakes are highest.
Click here for more information from the NHTSA.
