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Panama City authorities say they’ve issued hundreds of tickets since the start of spring break

A group of students from Ole Miss, the University of Mississippi, dance and sing as they enjoy spring break on South Beach, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
/
AP
A group of students from Ole Miss, the University of Mississippi, dance and sing as they enjoy spring break on South Beach, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

"We want people to come and enjoy all Bay County has to offer but we expect people to obey the law."

Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford says his deputies have been working twice as hard this Spring Break to ensure all county roads are kept safe.

He said on Saturday, his deputies had written tickets for nearly 200 traffic citations and he says in a single day this past weekend, the department conducted 113 traffic stops.

"Our welcome committee was out in full force last night ensuring that Bay County roads are safe," Sheriff Ford wrote via Facebook.

Drivers are getting behind the wheel after drinking. Others are piloting dangerously modified vehicles. Ford also said his deputies have seen an increase in street racing.

"As we continue to say, we want people to come and enjoy all Bay County has to offer but we expect people to obey the law and not create dangerous conditions for our residents and visitors."

Lawmakers passed a bill this year that would increase penalties for traffic infractions including street racing, stunt driving, and car meet ups; known as 'street takeovers.'

That law hasn’t gone into effect yet, but Bay County’s Sheriff Department said Saturday it will continue working with Florida Highway Patrol to keep the roadways safe.

Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer.

Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary, and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp, and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.