DUI Enforcement crackdown for holiday season

DUI Enforcement crackdown for holiday season

Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest

TALLAHASSEE – The holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in drunk driving. Since 1981, every President of the United States has proclaimed December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. In an effort to get impaired drivers off of the roads, the Florida Highway Patrol is joining with hundreds of other state and local law enforcement and highway safety officials across the nation from Dec. 13-31, 2008, to launch an aggressive national campaign – Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in December 2007, 992 people were killed in crashes nationwide that involved a drunk driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, which is above the legal limit in every state.

"The holiday period is typically a time for celebration," said Colonel John Czernis, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. "We want to make it a safe time for everyone. No amount of good cheer will be able to save you from the consequences of drunk driving. If we catch you, we will arrest you. No exceptions. No excuses."

In 2007, 12,998 fatalities occurred nationwide in crashes involving a driver who had a .08 blood alcohol concentration or higher compared with 13,491 in 2006. Colonel Czernis emphasized the critical role law enforcement plays in reducing the serious problem.

The Florida Highway Patrol recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk as just two simple steps to avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving. Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead: Whenever you plan to consume alcohol, designate your sober driver before going out and give that person your car keys.

• If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a friend or family member to get you home safely.

• Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement. Dial *FHP ( *347) from your cell phone to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.

For real time condition reports as well as maps and other safety tips, the public is urged to use our Live Traffic Crash service on the FHP Web site at www.flhsmv.gov/fhp.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encourages anyone with a valid Florida driver license or identification card to go online to www.flhsmv.gov and enter their emergency contact information. This vital information gives law enforcement immediate access to this information in cases of an emergency, which makes it easier for them to contact a family member or friend.