As part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Speed Campaign and Operation Southern Slow Down, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is helping raise awareness about the dangers of speeding and encouraging all motorists to slow down and drive responsibly.

Speeding remains one of the leading contributing factors in serious and fatal crashes, both nationally and in Florida. NHTSA reports that speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities over the last 20+ years. According to the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard, speeding and aggressive driving contributed to nearly 14% of traffic fatalities from 2020-2024, accounting for 2339 lives lost.

Operation Southern Slow Down is an annual speed enforcement and education campaign conducted in partnership with NHTSA and law enforcement agencies in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Together, these agencies work to reduce speed-related crashes and save lives by reminding drivers that speed limits are established to protect everyone on the road.

Reducing speed-related crashes is an important part of Target Zero’s mission to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Florida roadways. While speed enforcement campaigns help raise awareness, lasting safety is supported by everyday actions in our workplaces, our communities, and behind the wheel.

Raising Internal Awareness: No matter what office you officially call “home,” we all can play a role in supporting safety

• Share the attached Speeding Myths Tip Card with coworkers to help separate fact from fiction about speeding and its risks.
• Place this Alert Today Tip Card in office common areas to remind peers that safety doesn’t happen by accident.
• Explore NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Speeding Dashboard to view national and state-by-state speeding data and trends.

In the Community: Grass-roots outreach efforts greatly improve safety messaging effectiveness – these one-on-one conversations have far-reaching impacts

• Share this impactful NHTSA video with loved ones to reinforce a simple but important message: Speeding Catches Up With You.
• Know a young driver? Sadly, young drivers, especially males aged 15-20 and 21-24, are over-represented in speeding-related fatalities. This is why setting a positive example and communicating with them early on about the dangers of speeding is critical to establishing safe driving behaviors.
• Remind friends, family, and neighbors that there are simple ways to avoid speeding, such as:
  • Building extra time into your day to resist the temptation to rush while driving.
  • Using cruise control on highways and longer trips when appropriate.
  • Setting navigation and music before leaving to reduce last-minute changes and distractions.
  • Arriving a few minutes late is better than risking a crash. Early. On time. A little late. Just get there safely.

In Your Everyday Life: Even when you’re not “on-the-clock,” there are ways to improve safety culture in Florida

• Slow down and obey posted speed limits.
• Adjust your speed for road conditions like weather, visibility, traffic, and construction.
• If you encounter a speeding or aggressive driver on the road:
  • Safely move or pull over and allow the vehicle to pass when possible.
  • Stay calm and avoid engaging with the driver or responding to unsafe behavior.
  • Increase your following distance and give plenty of space.
  • If you believe you are being followed or harassed, pull into a safe, public location and call 911.

Every mile per hour matters. Choosing a safe speed gives drivers more time to react, reduces crash severity, and helps everyone get home safely.

Thank you for everything you do to help advance Target Zero and create safer roadways for all Floridians. Great safety ideas come from anywhere; if you or your office have suggestions for promoting safety in your district or statewide, please share them with us!

Savannah & the Target Zero Team

Target Zero Speeding Myths Tip Card (PDF)