Law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Florida join other police departments nationwide in the 2011 drunk driving crackdown sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs August 19 to September 5. It is an annual nationwide enforcement effort to crack down on impaired driving and reduce roadway fatalities.
The Labor Day DUI campaign is focused on preventing crashes and saving lives by stopping drunk driving. The Florida Police Chief’s Association (FCPA) said, “Law enforcement is putting out the word that impaired drivers will be stopped and arrested,” in a news release announcing the crackdown. The FCPA added, “Impaired drivers will be stopped and arrested.”
Nationwide, as well as in Florida, it is illegal to drink and drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater. According to the NHTSA, in 2009 alone, 10,839 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal alcohol limit.
FCPA reports that in Florida during 2009, there were 1,004 people killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes on the state’s roadways. Even though the number is down 14% from the 1,169 alcohol-related fatal crashes in 2008, 39% of all fatalities remain alcohol-related. During the 2009 Labor Day holiday period, 23 people were killed on Florida’s roadways with 13, or 56%, of those fatalities alcohol-related.
NHTSA will focus national attention on the crackdown through a $14 million budget for national advertising to help put motorists on notice that if they are caught driving while impaired, they will be arrested. The national ads “primarily target young male drivers and motorcycle riders, who are the most common perpetrators of this deadly crime.”
Florida drivers can expect stepped-up law enforcement throughout the state including sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols with the message of “if we catch you driving drunk, you will face serious consequences.”
Drunk or impaired drivers are a hazard on Florida highways, and drunk driving is a serious criminal offense. Do your part and don’t drink and drive. But if you have been injured by a drunk driver, talk to a knowledgeable Florida car accident lawyer to understand your legal rights.
Turn To An Experienced Florida Accident Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a traffic accident caused by a drunk driver, contact an aggressive car accident attorney who has helped many injury victims recover from a serious automobile accident. I am attorney Philip DeBerard. I have more than three decades of legal experience representing people injured in car accidents and other personal injury claims.
At the law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, we pride ourselves on providing one-on-one attention to people across South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Our law firm represents victims of drunk driver accidents across South Florida including Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Jupiter, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Vero Beach. Choosing an experienced automobile accident lawyer does make a difference.
Call (800) 299-8878 to speak with a knowledgeable Florida motor vehicle accident attorney or fill out our online contact form.
