School’s out and the official start to summer is just days away. While it’s a time for many to relax and plan vacations, getaways and create summer memories, it is also time for the Broward Sheriff’s Office Regional Traffic Unit to renew its Operation Summer Splash traffic enforcement operation.

With more people potentially taking to the roads this summer season, Operation Summer Splash will take aim at aggressive driving, including speeding and distracted and impaired driving. The goal is to keep the roadways safe and reduce speeding and unsafe driving behavior.

Operation Summer Splash will begin on Monday, June 19, and end on Friday, July 28. The operation will occur countywide with a focus on the cities that contract with BSO for law enforcement services as well as unincorporated Central Broward, Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. BSO’s traffic units and road patrol will be educating and enforcing safe driving habits throughout the county with an increased law enforcement presence.

With nearly two million residents and a consistent stream of visitors and tourists, Broward County roadways are full of vehicles. That can lead to poor driving habits and bad decisions behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in 2020, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all fatal traffic crashes.

It’s important for drivers to follow some key rules when driving:

• Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and add in time for unexpected traffic slow-downs, like crashes and construction.

• Never drive angry. If something happens on the road with another driver, don’t make eye contact, breathe and remember that no encounter is worth having a crash.

• If you encounter a stressful or dangerous driving situation, find a safe place to pull off the road to calm down.