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Officials to stake out Pasco's newest worst intersection today

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 29, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - Pasco County's worst intersection for aggressive driving has moved 22 miles east since last year, from U.S. 19 and Flora Avenue in Holiday to State Road 54 and Collier Parkway.

In the first quarter of this year, the Holiday intersection was bumped off the Pasco sheriff's office list of top 12 aggressive-driving crash intersections and replaced with the Land O' Lakes intersection. A key factor of crashes at this intersection, said Deputy Creg Bell said, is the widening of State Road 54.

As a result, Pasco deputies, with the help of Florida Highway Patrol troopers and New Port Richey and Zephyrhills police, will set up a saturation patrol within a five-mile radius of S.R. 54 and Collier until 4:30 p.m. today.

The idea is to crack down on aggressive drivers – those with two or more traffic violations – who cause numerous crashes in the county, Bell said.

"Basically, I want to flood the area with so much law enforcement, then people won't have the chance to break traffic laws," he said.

During Operation Collier Crunch, authorities will be keenly looking for red-light runners, speeders and motorists who follow too close, among other violators, Bell said.

Monday is the second worst day, behind Friday, for the most crashes caused by aggressive drivers, sheriff's officials said. Peak times run from the morning to evening rush hour, with the most crashes occurring between 2 and 5 p.m.

"There are more people in the county during those times," Bell said, "If you statistically have more people on the roadways, then you're going to have problems."

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

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