OCSO to crack down on traffic violations through July 21

Orange County deputies will crack down on traffic violators now through July 21 as part of Operation Southern Shield, an initiative that aims to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries in the southern states. 

According to a release from OCSO, deputies will be on the looking out for distracted, impaired and aggressive drivers and seatbelt usage on interstates and local roads as part of the initiative.

Operation Southern Shield spans Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee and aims to increase awareness of traffic safety issues. 

In the past 18 months in Orange County, there were 4,520 crashes resulting in injuries or death for passengers that were caused by speeding and 8,188 where aggressive or distracted driving was a contributing factor, according to the OCSO.