Overview
- The ninth annual Operation Southern Slow Down launched on Monday, July 13 and runs through July 19 with coordinated press events in Daytona, Ringgold, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah.
- State and local police will increase patrols on interstates and major highways to target speeding, aggressive driving and other traffic violations during the week.
- Florida officers will enforce the state's 'super speeder' rules, which allow arrest for drivers going 50 mph over the limit or exceeding 100 mph and carry fines and possible jail time.
- Organizers cite federal data showing speeding contributed to nearly 30% of U.S. traffic deaths in 2024 and about 21% of fatal crashes across the five participating states, and they note last year's regional effort produced roughly 52,990 speeding contacts and hundreds of DUI arrests.
- Officials urge practical steps for drivers—give speeders space, avoid left-lane cruising, wear seat belts and obey Move Over rules—and say the campaign is meant to cut crashes and save lives, a message underscored by a recent Florida high-speed crash used to highlight the risks of extreme speeding.