If you break a traffic law in Walton County, look in your rearview mirror.
We might be right behind you, with the LIGHTS & SIREN on.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit was formed on July 01, 2005 based on collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. Both groups were responding to the high number of traffic fatalities on the roadways of Walton County. Although Walton County has a year round population of about 53,500 residents, the annual vacation population swells to approximately 11 million. This can create a massive congestion problem. Tempers flare, attentions drift, and accidents happen.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit is currently compromised of four deputies and one sergeant. The unit works a five day schedule that varies according to local traffic patterns. The unit has a combined experience level of over sixty (60) years of law enforcement. This experience, along with the maturity of the individual deputies, creates a highly trained, dedicated, specialized unit focused on the safety of residents and visitors to Walton County. In addition to individual training, which includes specialty areas such as Aggressive Driving, Impaired Driving, DUI Enforcement, Traffic Crash Investigation, Speed Enforcement, the unit also uses the latest traffic enforcement technology. This includes a Speed Monitoring Trailer, five specially equipped patrol vehicles, two marked motorcycles, and a DUI Enforcement trailer, equipped to perform Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints. Each vehicle is equipped with RADAR and LIDAR (Laser) is used as well to detect speed violations. The vehicles are also equipped with in-car video recording systems to document the officer/violator interaction on traffic stops and capture evidence of traffic infractions.

Many times citizens feel that interaction with a traffic enforcement officer is going to mean something negative such as a fine or an arrest, when in fact, it is not. We exist in order to enhance public safety on the roadways. In the first eighteen (18) months of the Traffic Enforcement Unit being implemented, there have been approximately 7,500 citations issued and over 150 individuals arrested for serious traffic infractions that directly affect public driving safety. More importantly, traffic fatalities in Walton County have drastically decreased by 42%.

When traveling the public roadways of Walton County, please slow down and be aware of tourists who may be preoccupied with our beautiful scenery, instead of paying attention to the complex task of driving safely. If you see an unsafe driver, please contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center in North Walton County at (850) 892-8111 or the Dispatch Center in South Walton County at (850) 267-2000.

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