In a recent social media announcement, the New Port Richey Police Department divulged its new partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Seven in an effort designed to bolster road safety. This collaboration, part of the Enhanced Law Enforcement Engagement (ELEE) program, aims to strategically increase the police presence on state roadways notorious for high crash rates. The initiative officially kicked off on June 1, and is set to extend through February 28, 2026.
According to the details shared by the police department, the campaign will focus on a set of key areas outlined by the State Highway Strategic Safety Plan (SHSSP). These target domains include intersection violations, lane departure, driving under the influence (DUI), as well as work zone, move over, speeding, aggressive, and distracted driving offenses. In addition to the ramped-up enforcement, the ELEE program will also incorporate educational elements, dispatching first responders to schools within District Seven to provide presentations, with a special emphasis on Driver Education classes.
The ELEE program's second year comes with an undeniable commitment to safety, as articulated by FDOT District Seven Safety Engineer Emmeth Duran, P.E. "FDOT District Seven is committed to making our roads safer through partnerships with local law enforcement agencies," Emmeth Duran asserted in a statement. The ultimate goal of this endeavor, as stated by Duran, is to help FDOT achieve its ambitious target of zero fatal crashes and serious injuries on their roads.
Originally launched in 2022, the ELEE program is designed to not just reduce crashes and injuries on Florida's state roads and federal highways, but also to substantially improve overall traffic safety. Through proactive partnerships like the one with New Port Richey Police Department, FDOT District Seven seeks to comprehensively enhance awareness and enforcement, which, officials hope, will lead to a tangible reduction in road-related incidents. More information about this program can be found on the New Port Richey Police Department's Facebook post.
