Drivers on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway who hit the gas pedal a little too hard in certain school zones 鈥� watch out. You might get pulled over by the Grinch!
For the past 20 years, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office has sent out deputies dressed as the fictional Doctor Seuss character to enforce speed limits in selected school zones during the holidays.
Colonel Lou Caputo, of the Monroe County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, donned the Grinch costume this week and stood side-by-side with other officers as they aimed a radar speed detector at cars traveling by a local elementary school.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about education, awareness that our school zones are still operating, even though it鈥檚 the holiday season,鈥� Caputo said. 鈥淲e want people to be aware of that, and we want them to slow down.鈥�
Caputo said it's a friendlier but memorable way to remind drivers to obey the speed limit in school zones.
Drivers who travel about 5 mph or less above the school zone鈥檚 speed limit can choose between traffic citations and odorous onions presented by the Grinch. Those speeding beyond that will likely get a costly ticket.
鈥淚t catches them off guard," Caputo said. 鈥淏ut when I give them a clear choice of a citation, or the onion, they will take the onion,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檝e had them eat the onion, right in front of me.鈥�
