“Operation Hardhat” Protects Work Zones

Seeking to reduce the number of crashes in work zones, the Florida Highway Patrol has employed a variation of a program used elsewhere in the country. Dubbed “Operation Hardhat” by the FHP, troopers dressed as construction workers operate laser or radar speed measuring devices to detect speeders. Violators are then called out to fellow troopers positioned nearby who actually stop the offenders and issue citations. Speeding fines are doubled in active highway construction areas in Florida. Some do not like the notion of law enforcement operating in a concealed manner, but this type of operation is completely legal, and sometimes necessary, in the effort to save lives. Similar to the use of aircraft and unmarked vehicles, these techniques are essential to stopping the most aggressive and dangerous drivers on our roadways.