BUNNELL, FL – In an effort to reverse the increasing rate of traffic fatalities in Flagler County, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) and our partners will conduct a special version of Operation DRIVE (Distracted & Reckless Intersection Violation Enforcement) prior Halloween.
The one-day county-wide traffic safety operation will take place Tuesday (October 25, 2022) in coordination with the Florida Highway Patrol, the Flagler Beach Police Department and the Bunnell Police Department. To bring extra attention to this month’s enforcement, education and awareness effort, an FCSO deputy will don a Halloween costume while doing speed checks at intersections where crashes are most frequent.
This operation comes as recent statistics compiled by FCSO show a 75% increase in people killed in Flagler County traffic crashes this year compared to the same period in 2021. 21 people have died in traffic crashes from January 1, 2022 to September 31, 2022. During the same time frame in 2021, 12 people died.
Three more traffic fatalities have occurred so far this month, including one yesterday (October 23, 2022) at the intersection of State Road 11 and County Road 304 in Bunnell. That brings the year-to-date total to 24 deaths.
This spike in traffic deaths comes despite a slight decrease in reported traffic accidents in Flagler County year to date between 2022 (2,349 accidents) and 2021 (2,361 accidents), according to Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.
“This trend concerns me greatly,” Sheriff Staly added. “These deaths didn’t have to happen. I can’t stress that enough. Safety should be the main priority when you’re driving, not speeding or thinking it’s OK to drive after a few drinks or looking at your phone or any other kind of distraction that keeps your attention off the road. If we all embrace safe behavior while behind the wheel, we can reverse this trend and prevent future tragedies.”
The goal of Operation DRIVE – which is normally done once a month – is to enhance the safety on all roadways in Flagler County by focusing on distracted driving and reckless driving in high-traffic areas, ultimately providing a safer travel environment for those in vehicles as well as pedestrians and bicyclists.
With this month’s operation taking place close to Halloween and during National Pedestrian Safety Month, Sheriff Staly says there will be a bigger focus on pedestrian safety.
“Walking around getting candy is always fun but having more people than normal on foot in the streets does increase the risks of traffic and pedestrian collisions,” Sheriff Staly noted. “That’s why we give this friendly reminder to be extra cautious in areas with heavy foot traffic, including school zones. Don’t speed and don’t drive drunk or distracted. Pay attention while behind the wheel!”
Personnel assigned to Operation DRIVE will be deployed to various locations throughout Flagler County, with a special focus on intersections where crashes are most common.
Those include but are not limited to:
• Old Kings Road & Palm Coast Parkway
• Palm Coast Parkway & Cypress Point Parkway
• Belle Terre Parkway & Palm Coast Parkway
• Belle Terre Parkway & East State Road 100
Patrol units will assist Traffic Unit deputies involved in the operation as time and service calls permit, according to Sheriff Staly.
“FCSO’s special Driving Under the Influence Taxi will also be seen during Operation DRIVE, reminding everyone that a taxi, Uber, Lyft or a designated driver for a ride home after a few drinks is a lot safer and cheaper than driving while impaired and getting a free one-way ride to the Green Roof Inn!” Sheriff Staly added.
The last time Operation DRIVE took place was the Thursday before Labor Day weekend (September 1, 2022), resulting in FCSO making 97 traffic stops and issuing 65 warnings and 32 citations.
