CLEARWATER, Fla. – Clearwater drivers might notice a few more blue lights in their rearview mirrors over the coming months. The Clearwater Police Department is officially extending its partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to crack down on speeding and reckless behavior across the city’s busiest corridors.
This push is fueled by a $75,000 state contract that kicked off in mid-December and is scheduled to run through September 30.
Rather than pulling patrol officers away from standard emergency calls, the grant money is earmarked specifically for overtime shifts. This allows the department to put extra boots on the ground with a singular focus: stopping drivers who treat local roads like a racetrack.
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The department’s primary objective is to lower the risk of accidents for both locals and tourists. According to officials, the extra funding provides the resources needed to target “drivers who speed and drive aggressively, endangering their lives and the lives of others.”
Commuters should expect a heavier police presence on several high-traffic stretches known for frequent violations. Enforcement will be concentrated on U.S. 19, the Courtney Campbell Causeway, and Drew Street.
Other major arteries, including State Road 580, Belcher Road, and Missouri Avenue, are also on the list for increased saturation patrols. By focusing on these specific areas, the department hopes to curb the kind of high-speed maneuvers that often lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
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