More than One-Third of Florida Holiday Traffic Accident Deaths Involve Drunk Driving
With the holiday season in full swing and another year drawing to a close, Floridians are naturally in a festive mood. Between company parties and family gatherings, there's no shortage of opportunities to celebrate. Florida is also a hot vacation spot for people needing a break from the colder climates. This means Orlando and other Central and South Fla. hotels, restaurants, and night clubs are enjoying the extra holiday business boost.
However, holiday celebrations also come with the risk of people drinking and driving. In fact, according to a recent report in the Orlando Sentinel, 35 percent of all Florida auto accident deaths over the December and New Year's holidays last year involved alcohol impaired driving. That's more than one-third of Fla. traffic accident deaths involving alcohol.
Florida Highway Patrol has announced that it will be out in force this holiday season to try to curb these preventable drunk driving traffic accidents. Florida participates in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, designed to stop drunk drivers before they hurt themselves or other Fla. motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which sponsors the national campaign, estimates some 11,000 people were killed in the U.S. last year due to drunk drivers.
As an experienced Orlando, FL car crash injury attorney knows from work with clients, holiday celebrations can turn to grief in a heartbeat when someone who has been drinking gets behind the wheel and causes an auto accident. The Florida Highway Patrol advises motorists to never drink and drive, and to designate a sober driver when celebrating over the holidays. In addition, Fla. motorists who spot erratic, aggressive, or suspected drunk drivers may call in their tips to the Florida Highway Patrol from their cell phones at *FHP (*347).
Though Florida traffic accident deaths have declined in recent years, in keeping with a nationwide trend, we still have much more work to do to make Fl. roads and highways safer for all motorists. NHTSA reported that for 2008, Florida alcohol-impaired driving fatalities amounted to 875 lives lost on our roads and highways. Florida traffic deaths are most numerous in the counties with the highest populations, the top five being Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, Hillsborough County, and Orange County, Florida. (Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts Florida 2004 -2008)
So be careful out there while driving on Florida city streets, back roads, and highways. Have a safe and happy holiday season.
Related Florida Accident Attorney Articles:
Florida Ranks Fourth for Worst Drivers in the Nation, Insurance Study Reports (Nov. 2011)
Sources:
Florida Highway Patrol warns drivers to stay off the road during holidays
Orlando Sentinel Dec. 20, 2011
Cops Warn “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over”
CBS Miami Dec. 20, 2011
Related Web Resources:
FHP CRACKS DOWN ON IMPAIRED DRIVING DURING HOLIDAY SEASON (PDF)
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles press release, Dec. 15, 2011
NHTSA: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign



