SANFORD, Fla. – In a bid to curb the rising incidents of crashes due to speeding and aggressive driving, Sanford is set to deploy more officers equipped with speed-measuring tools, thanks to a collaborative effort between the city and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

During a meeting on Monday night, the Sanford Police Department will seek the Commission’s approval to utilize funds sourced from an FDOT subgrant.

According to documents obtained by News 6, FDOT has allocated $30,000 to be utilized by the department until September 2026. These funds are intended for the purchase of additional speed measurement devices, aiming to equip as many officers as possible, and will also cover overtime expenses.

Residents interviewed by News 6 on Monday afternoon expressed concerns about the prevalent speeding and aggressive driving in the area.

“I often notice people speeding, especially along 17-92,” remarked one local resident.

Another woman who has spent more than 20 years driving school buses in Seminole County told News 6, “I’ve had a lot of close calls. I had to hold the kids on the bus. I have to tell the kids to stop because the drivers are going so fast.”

Sanford has ranked in the top 40% for serious injuries or fatalities related to speed or aggressive driving for the last 3 fiscal years, according to information about the purpose of the subgrant included in Monday’s agenda packet.

During the enforcement period, traffic safety officials will aim to conduct at least 10 speed or aggressive driving-related overtime enforcement operations.

The city will be required to review crash data to determine which areas have the most crashes resulting in serious injury or death and focus enforcement efforts at those locations within Sanford’s jurisdiction.

An annual report shows that a similar $25,000 subgrant awarded to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 was used to conduct 69 high-visibility enforcement overtime speeding and aggressive driving details.

During that time, 315 speeding citations were issued on the interstate, where enforcement efforts were focused. In 2023, the Orlando Police Department used 1,092 overtime hours to conduct 94 enforcement operations. During the enforcement period, they saw a decrease of 28.7% in injuries and 33.3% in fatalities relating to speeding and aggressive driving, according to the report.

“I think it’s something that needs to be regulated,” said one driver. “I see police, but I would like to see more activity as well.”

News 6 reached out to the Sanford Police Department to see if there are specific areas where enforcement efforts will be located in the coming months. A spokesperson said they would work on providing more information.

Items on Monday night’s agenda can be seen in the media player below.