Florida drivers’ bad reputation has been highlighted during the last few weeks, including Floridians being listed among the worst drivers in America. However, there is also some good news – when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the 2010 State Motor Vehicle Fatalities statistics, Florida was among the top states with the largest reductions in drunk driving deaths. Declining by more than 100 fatalities, Florida saw 660 alcohol-related highway deaths in 2010 versus 777 in 2009, according to the NHTSA.
The data were released in conjunction with the latest push in NHTSA’s “Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which runs from Dec. 16 through Jan. 2. The nationwide crackdown on drunk driving coincides with the 2011 winter holiday season that is typically a period with many alcohol-related traffic accidents.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated that at the DoT, safety is their focus. This holiday season, however, they’re increasing their efforts to keep drunken drivers off the roads. They also want to remind Americans to drive sober, or get pulled over. Though they are making gains in their fight against drunk driving, they cannot and will not give up.
NHTSA data show that 10,228 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes nationwide last year, including 415 during the “winter holiday period.” Although alcohol-impaired driving fatalities declined by 4.9 percent in 2010, they still accounted for 31 percent of overall traffic deaths.
According to Florida’s 2010 Traffic Crash Statistics, drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol were the second leading cause of Florida accident fatalities.
Law enforcement agencies across Florida are joining in the drunk driving crackdown with a focus on keeping Florida’s highways safe during the holiday season. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, during the 2010 Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel period, approximately 35 percent of the traffic fatalities in Florida were alcohol-related.
“Impaired driving continues to be a priority for law enforcement in the state, and the Florida Highway Patrol will be intensifying enforcement during the holidays,” said the FHP Director, Col. David Brierton, in a press release announcing the effort. “Our goal is to create the safest possible driving environment by modifying driver behavior – and helping drivers make better decisions.”
NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, “Our message to drivers is clear: if you decide to drink, find a safe and sober ride home or you will be pulled over.”
Our South Florida car accident attorneys support all campaigns focused on keeping our highways safer – especially during the holidays when many vehicles are packed with families. While law enforcement does their part, we also ask all Florida drivers to do their part and don’t drink and drive.
The auto accident attorneys at Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.
Turn To An Experienced Florida Accident Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a Florida traffic accident caused by a drunk driver this holiday season, contact an aggressive car accident attorney who has helped many injury victims recover from serious automobile accidents. 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 Port St.Lucie, Stuart, Okeechobee, Fort Pierce, Jupiter, Vero Beach, and Palm Beach, and throughout South Florida and the Treasure Coast.
Call 1-800-299-8878 now to speak with a knowledgeable Florida car accident attorney or fill out our online contact form.
