[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6155434,"mediaKeyId","5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a","parentId",5479066,"title","Task force members push for behind‑the‑wheel component in state driver education law","audioSeconds",2066,"startMs",2498000,"endMs",4564000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a&start=2498&end=4564","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a/thumbnail_2498000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6155434/Putnam-County/Florida/Task-force-members-push-for-behindthewheel-component-in-state-driver-education-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155434-c8787ec1a94f2bc0965ec0bbb21e7583/orig.mp4?Expires=1770454089&Signature=lWs6llnNYaHa9FBX1pSkgt~AG5FgO6F17k2OydWqPhQXKLhJ2sj25F4VK9xUq4lhkOjQClpWvM8OX6Pldn1OSHhDkh0i-5BKRIzCpdpp5Acy4SPb4RNcECIQmJOry1RLltLQvTwrn8STg2wLYA2ekKz4RMf1UMVToI73xWQSrTebLcX680zI448See3-Svbp3-H31co-mHw4IfkQHTsbqGXiVVdrd6zqM--NzBIw2ya9dJaHHr39qndMW~i7VIUJMDqnjA~NmtHvY00c4xqkbWBLYbjgWRcMCnRus~uGtQn7NksaNTWBMSm7LELMuGBhhOq~rXJouXsRRJEnCDWlnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Putnam County","date","2025-07-26T00:40:53.76Z","article","Task Force members criticized a recently passed state law discussed during the meeting that requires driver education but does not mandate behind‑the‑wheel driving experience. Several members and school officials said classroom or online instruction alone does not prepare young drivers for real‑world road conditions and urged the task force to ask legislators to amend the law.

Mr. Leary and other members said the 2025 driver education change omitted an in‑car driving component and recommended the task force pursue a glitch bill or other legislative fix to require actual driving experience for learner drivers. \"There's gotta be an experience,\" Mr. Leary said, arguing that classroom work without behind‑the‑wheel training misses the main point of driver education.

School representatives, parents and task force members discussed barriers to offering in‑car instruction, including cost, availability of certified instructors and insurance requirements. The school official in the meeting said the state has not funded behind‑the‑wheel programs and that local districts would face costs for vehicles, instructors and insurance if a driving component were required.

The task force asked staff to include a legislative request on the consolidated priorities list and suggested coordinating with Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and with state legislators (for example, via a friend contact, Dave Kerner) on adding a driving component for 14‑ to 17‑year‑old learners. No formal endorsement of specific bill text was adopted at the meeting; members asked staff to pursue advocacy through the county’s legislative delegation outreach in September.

Public commenters emphasized that classroom courses are not a substitute for actual driving practice and asked the task force to prioritize legislative changes to require hands‑on training for young drivers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Putnam County Safety Task Force Meeting July 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members and school officials said a recently passed state driver education bill lacks required behind‑the‑wheel experience; the task force discussed pursuing a \"glitch\" or amendment bill and requested legislative advocacy via the county delegation.","taxTitle","Putnam County, Florida","taxId",53569,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155439,"Task force discusses long‑standing request for signal at Highway 17 and Palmetto Bluff Road amid planned drainage and resurfacing work",177,2748000,2925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a&start=2748&end=2925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a/thumbnail_2748000.jpg","/articles/6155439/Putnam-County/Florida/Task-force-discusses-longstanding-request-for-signal-at-Highway-17-and-Palmetto-Bluff-Road-amid-planned-drainage-and-resurfacing-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155439-9b9b279cca3095d0db721430be6a9e16/orig.mp4?Expires=1770454089&Signature=dAJxnVTHcFfLLZWsRCaK2iruYEwt8UuD3zf9jvC9DiSlW-cO6GeTTr7R-Rvg3IuVeEG~kyVKngxBLrAF7DH9cahZq8r~YD34-FNX-67PqsbOIwG2yzTDxP4lBStZtv-eP~PQLgRcH8K3NGl0Qj8GL~C4a1HteAH-teqt1zuNe8RB~N0XNYuhVdeF99yQl~kxBIlC1b9LKcm9vK2P2Gdur9oMqbCF3DwXyKoaZB2P5xsROtYxxFaUDQJkfPOh6J2lYQXvUhcn1JyzKL2VYb8TwvAOSMwvNADIKpTB9gtOEAcVI3SPxoD5cnNwsR8flZpK2zHfMXUMxIryVNxYT-VK8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members and citizens told the Road Safety Task Force on July 24 that a traffic signal is needed at the intersection of Highway 17 and Palmetto Bluff Road, a location that has seen crashes and driver complaints for years. Task Force members said a traffic study completed about two years ago found traffic volumes below the state threshold for a signal, but they urged the county to request an updated study and to press FDOT to consider signalization as nearby development and a planned interstate could increase volumes.

Task Force member Mr. Leary recounted that a 2013 school board request had previously sought a signal at the intersection and that a more recent traffic study did not show sufficient counts; he asked whether FDOT could re‑evaluate counts because the planned interstate and local development may change traffic patterns. Mr. Leary also noted that Palmetto Bluff Road has a drainage project followed by resurfacing and suggested raising the signal request while DOT updates project scopes.

A county official present confirmed that the drainage project (county work funded through a state appropriation) will precede resurfacing and that Palmetto Bluff Road is scheduled for a resurfacing contract; Task Force members said they will continue to press DOT and the county on design considerations such as turn lanes and potential signal placement.

No formal action was taken at the meeting to require FDOT to install a signal; members recommended that the task force include the signal request on the consolidated priorities list that county staff will draft and present to the Board of County Commissioners and the legislative delegation.

Task Force members also suggested using the resurfacing and drainage projects as leverage to obtain smaller, shorter‑term design changes (for example, turn lanes, passing zones or shoulder adjustments) without waiting for full corridor reconstruction.","Members raised a decade‑old request for a traffic signal at Highway 17 and Palmetto Bluff Road, noted DOT’s traffic‑count thresholds and a two‑year‑old study that did not meet signal criteria, and identified upcoming drainage and resurfacing work as an opportunity to press for design changes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155443,"Putnam County Road Safety Task Force to compile priorities for commissioners and legislative delegation",2753,2138000,4891000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a&start=2138&end=4891","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a/thumbnail_2138000.jpg","/articles/6155443/Putnam-County/Florida/Putnam-County-Road-Safety-Task-Force-to-compile-priorities-for-commissioners-and-legislative-delegation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155443-12f2a43187ab600be18047f80714ed14/orig.mp4?Expires=1770454089&Signature=E4e~huTi-4ch4MBY~Jv9EEPGzyrnm3YXsKtEWqtkdBFE7Qc9aF37WdFzbfjOKIVKW49mh8f68YV1Lt~jhv~63m0uehvQd-7fYFXgCJGOssF2pAze1E8AhF60wcCKYBMUjoZ8QapAr9omCxxO2LIPGv6F95pnlOtqHeAymDUhzLJFpa0bumqy2bmRm~8v9t93mxgikYTVT0pWOpYMxx~Naz4T-OIkLI0v82pr~95~AEPRJ~mpHHFtBoo1HMy3maNW2GaStGW4J5t44igTPPYm0ss9jB403XOpfP7FaoCsaT7O5HbafqrktLrbVfs93avpwySqbfBPRtwU5n3~4icBZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Putnam County Road Safety Task Force on July 24 agreed to assemble a consolidated list of safety priorities and send it to the Board of County Commissioners and the legislative delegation, following a presentation by the sheriff’s office and public comment about dangerous county roads.

Task Force members and attendees recommended education campaigns, coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on design and small‑scale road changes, retaining or increasing Florida Highway Patrol presence after a nearby interstate opens, and continued enforcement on State Road 100. The task force chair said Laura Berardi (county staff) will lead creation of the priority list and distribute it to the committee for comment.

Members proposed several near‑term actions: include safety requests in the county’s delegation packet for September, ask DOT for traffic‑management changes tied to upcoming resurfacing projects, request continued FHP support, and expand public information and school‑based education. Brent volunteered to represent the task force at the legislative delegation meeting.

The task force discussed meeting frequency and agreed to continue convening at least quarterly or twice a year to monitor progress. No formal vote was taken to adopt the list at the meeting; members asked staff to draft the list and circulate it for committee review before presentation to the Board of County Commissioners.

Public commenters who had been directly affected by crashes on State Road 100 urged faster action on enforcement and infrastructure changes. The task force emphasized that many recommendations are state responsibilities, so the group will ask county commissioners and legislators to advocate for state support.

The chair closed by thanking law enforcement and DOT staff for their participation and said the task force has already raised community awareness of road safety issues.","After hearing law enforcement results and public comment, the task force agreed to compile a consolidated list of priorities (education, DOT coordination, enforcement support) to present to the Board of County Commissioners and the legislative delegation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6155448,"Putnam County sheriff’s office details results from new part‑time traffic unit, urges continued enforcement",149,745000,894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a&start=745&end=894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479066-3c0e0085696cd26801040096fb7e966a/thumbnail_745000.jpg","/articles/6155448/Putnam-County/Florida/Putnam-County-sheriffs-office-details-results-from-new-parttime-traffic-unit-urges-continued-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155448-c800e1c2570099e17e1ff4d609e76973/orig.mp4?Expires=1770454089&Signature=PCvQ9YJHUpjjAniozmlylDeXFDq6ZOKjF9en3-dxgGC0ZEC6AfQMkmFd2rEMoTp687QJk-PFdAU4qJ-Qli1LbIOGA6~h1iU8du1ymrsctIT-Tm5fCwZUDsRz06B09boLuHOVkdYia8QSbkIpCq3Xv39-GqeUVA-J4tanwoHtw48NTOT5CVKkElWPlFjzcqQJVRlcVgKrrgH19Srtc5QEAsjcBXu8UcuPsOkw6qJ6avg2fM-3noQ2nmLPawGbe6NDolmR7p30cuEbKj~I3PjqR0uEEhgjnKcHrhivimk~EJMmEc10jIzRi6f-7R18QQeJbKf4GH-hqTTiTyAHlvMq6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sergeant Jacob Higginbotham, supervisor for the newly created Putnam County Sheriff’s Office traffic unit, told the Road Safety Task Force on July 24 that the part‑time unit of eight people has increased enforcement countywide and participated in two traffic operations and a statewide campaign. The operations produced hundreds of stops, dozens of citations and warnings, and several arrests for DUI and related offenses.

Higginbotham said the traffic unit, created this year, is composed of seven deputies and one supervisor and has run targeted operations including July 3 and July 18. “Operation Southern Slowdown, which was July 14 through July 19, resulted in 242 traffic stops from the agency, resulted in 155 warnings and 87 citations,” he said. He also reported that a July 18 traffic unit operation produced 117 traffic stops and 69 warnings and noted a hit‑and‑run investigation that led to an arrest.

The unit’s work is part of a broader agency total since January 1 that Higginbotham said included 7,849 traffic stops, 858 vehicle crashes and 51 DUIs. He described the unit’s enforcement approach as progressive: documenting verbal and written warnings so repeated behavior can be identified and escalated to citations when necessary.

Task Force members asked about the balance between warnings and citations on high‑crash corridors such as State Road 100. Task Force member Terry, who said she had been injured in a crash on that road, asked, “Why are we not writing more citations?” Higginbotham replied that many drivers appeared remorseful or unaware of the posted limit and that warnings appear to change behavior in many stops; for repeat violators, he said, citations are issued.

Higginbotham described other enforcement details: deputies investigate distracted driving, enforce Florida’s Move Over law when officers are stopped on the roadside, and document campaign names on citations (for example, “Operation Southern Slowdown”) so judges and magistrates reviewing court copies can see the enforcement context. The unit is also coordinating with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) on a planned joint operation in August.

Under Sheriff Blunt (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office) and other task force members praised the unit’s early results and urged continued operations. The sheriff’s office said it aims to make the unit full time in the future, certify members as breath test operators and expand capabilities as staffing and budgets allow.

No formal county action or vote was taken to authorize the unit during the meeting; the traffic unit was described as an internal sheriff’s office initiative created earlier this year. Task Force members and law enforcement discussed continuing operations, data tracking and collaboration with courts and FHP to sustain enforcement gains.

The task force asked the sheriff’s office to continue compiling enforcement metrics, including reductions in high‑injury crashes and other outcomes, so the group can assess whether the unit meets its goals for reducing fatalities and serious injuries.

Higginbotham closed by inviting questions from the committee and said the unit would continue its campaign and data collection.","Sergeant Jacob Higginbotham told the Road Safety Task Force that a newly created, part‑time traffic unit of eight deputies has run two operations and joined a statewide campaign; the unit reported hundreds of traffic stops and several DUI and other arrests since January 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Task force members push for behind‑the‑wheel component in state driver education law

Task force discusses long‑standing request for signal at Highway 17 and Palmetto Bluff Road amid planned drainage and resurfacing work

Putnam County Road Safety Task Force to compile priorities for commissioners and legislative delegation

Putnam County sheriff’s office details results from new part‑time traffic unit, urges continued enforcement