Sheriff’s Office Aviation Division targets aggressive driving

Sheriff Rick Ramsay ordered the agency’s Aviation Division to address aggressive driving specifically along U.S. 1 in Islamorada last week, one of the busiest travel weeks of the year in the Florida Keys.

On Friday, the Sheriff’s Office launched its small helicopter along with a law enforcement officer. Note: This is not one of the Trauma Star medical emergency helicopters, which are separate aircraft.

The helicopter patrol focused on aggressive drivers in the Islamorada area along the stretch between roughly Mile Marker 74 to 84, where the Sheriff’s Office often sees illegal passing. The helicopter patrol teamed up with marked and unmarked traffic enforcement cars strategically located throughout the area. The helicopter spotted violators and followed the violators while radioing ahead to waiting patrol cars. Those patrol cars would then conduct the traffic stop.

The effort led to multiple drivers being stopped and ticketed.

Traffic between Christmas and New Year’s Day was heavier this year in comparison to recent years.

“Holiday traffic on U.S. 1 remains congested every year and this year was no different,” Sheriff Ramsay said. “I remain committed to maximizing our enforcement efforts by targeting problem areas, such as this stretch in Islamorada. I know heavy traffic is frustrating for residents and I heard from many of you in the last five days. As Sheriff, I am committed to keeping traffic flowing normally on U.S. 1. It isn’t always possible, but enforcement efforts such as this one with the Aviation Division, helps those efforts.”

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]