For more than two months, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has conducted targeted traffic enforcement in areas across the county, resulting in “encouraging signs” in driver behavior, the agency stated Aug. 20.
Sheriff Richard Del Toro nine weeks ago “directed additional resources toward targeted traffic enforcement in areas throughout our county where speeding and dangerous driving have been a concern,” a release states.
Sheriff’s officials reported deputies issued 1,289 citations and 3,522 written warnings. They made 41 arrests following alleged “offenses discovered during traffic enforcement.”
Investigators reported the percentage of written warnings and citations issued for drivers traveling greater than 20 mph over the speed limit decreased from 24 percent in the January to December 2025 time period to 18 percent in 2026 during the time period of January to Aug. 15.
“Speeding still occurs, but fewer of the speeding-related enforcement actions involve the highest speed violations,” the sheriff’s office stated. “That tells us our continued focus on enforcement, visibility, and education is making a difference.”
Del Toro in the Aug. 20 statement reported he wanted to make St. Lucie County the safest county in Florida, something he also said during his campaign before being elected in 2024.
He said roadway safety is part of accomplishing that goal.
“Our goal isn’t to write more tickets,” Del Toro stated. “Our goal is to prevent crashes, change dangerous driving behavior, and save lives.”
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida traffic enforcement yields driver behavior change, agency says
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers | USA TODAY Network
