Impaired driving: drive sober or game

March 3, 2025

~ One of three fatal accidents is the result of an impairment ~

Tallahassee, Fla.- The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Our Division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Along With Our Public Safety Partners, The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), The Florida Sheriff's Association (FSA), and the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA), Announce Our Annual Impaired Driving Campaign, which Focuses on Raising Awareness of the Effects and Consequences of Driving affects.

In 2024, more than 10% of the disruption of the driving loss occurred in March, which provided the month with the highest number of impairments with the drop in driving. While driving impaired in most traffic accidents is not the most important factor for traffic, each of three fatal traffic accidents is the result of an impaired driver. From 2013 to 2023, impaired trip ended with 34.21% of deaths.

“If you impair yourself behind the bike, you will blame the law enforcement authorities in Florida” said the managing director Dave Kerner. “With many safe alternatives to driving disorders, there is no excuse to threaten your life and others on the street. An impaired driving is 100% avoidable, and the devastation affects numerous people and families every year. The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to taking impaired drivers off the street and creating a safer environment for the citizens and visitors of Florida. “

“Impaired driving is at risk and contributes to 1/3 of all traffic fats.” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze II.. “Florida State Troopers and other law enforcement partners will be on the patrol to arrest those who choose the steering wheel impairment. Impaired driving injuries and deaths as well as arrests are 100% avoidable by simply not driving while they are affected. “

Impairment is avoidable. Drivers, passengers, friends and family members must understand that impairment can be caused by various factors. It is not just a synonym for alcohol, illegal narcotics or marijuana. However, you can be the most common examples of this. Further examples of impaired substances are the following:

• Some prescription medication.
• Over -the -counter sleep medication or medication that lists sleepiness as a side effect.
• A mixture of prescription medication and alcohol.

Marijuana is a multiplier for impairments. This means that in combination with any other substance that also causes impairments (alcohol, prescription drugs, other medication), lead to increased impairment. Out of 2016-2023Drug disabled drivers that were caused 128,426 accidents and kill 8,900 peopleincluding yourself, your passengers and others. In contrast to alcohol, there is no specific impairment of marijuana. Marijuana affects everyone differently and can stay in the system of a person for much longer than alcohol.

Traffic accidents with death and injury, while they are not reported under the influence of marijuana (THC), unless it is a death, it usually does not occur, especially if the suspect has already tested positively for alcohol. The alcohol -alcohol alcohol -alcohol -alcohol -alcohol -alcohol is the least intrusive method to check an impairment and is used first and most frequently. If an individual tests positively for an alcoholur, the person is charged with DUI. However, marijuana can also be available (tests are either urine or blood).

FHP and law enforcement officers are trained nationwide to recognize the signs of impairment and constantly monitor Florida's streets in order to protect everyone. Many law enforcement authorities have trained members especially for the detection of drugs. They are referred to as drug detection experts (DRE), and the FHP has 55 of the 340 Dres in Florida, which represent 16% of all Dres. Of these 55 FHP -Dres are 11 trainers. While you have to protect our streets, it is also for the responsibility of every driver to afford their part.

Remember when you feel different, drive differently. Regardless of whether you are the driver, the passenger, the friend or the family member when you see that someone who is in the tax impairment is your responsibility to say something. There are many alternatives to driving while they are affected, e.g. B. a carpool, a driver or even a sober lover or friend to pick them up. If you are impaired, put yourself and all other unnecessary and avoidable danger on the street.

The five signs of impairment:

Under the influence of alcohol and drugs, drivers can experience:

• A slow response time.
• Limited short -term memory functions.
• Reduced hand-eye coordination.
• Weakened concentration.
• Difficulty to perceive time and distance.

In 2024, the FHP supported 17 law enforcement authorities throughout the state after the management of governor Desantis and used 140 soldiers to support the activities to enforce the spring break and maintain peace and order. Through the collaboration between the FHP and agencies who asked for help, the Spring Break 2024 was a success.

Miami Beach was a very popular Spring Break goal and full of unsurpassed beauty and was one of the areas that asked for help in 2024. In recent years, Miami Beach has experienced a chaos and launched campaigns due to ruthless, lawless jumping jumpers to prevent unacceptable behavior during the spring holidays. This year, too, FHP Miami Beach and other agencies will support to ensure that the spring holidays are a pleasant and safe time for both visitors and residents.

“Driving during the impairment of alcohol or drugs is ruthless and is endangered for everyone on the street. FDOT has a goal of zero cases or serious injuries on our streets, and everyone will need to achieve this – including the driver. FDOT is with our law enforcement partners to encourage the drivers to make clever decisions before they get on the wheel. ” said FDOT secretary Jared W. Perdue, PE

“Every spring, Florida's breathtaking coastal lines, lively venues and exciting themed parks attract a wave of visitors who want to experience everything our state has to offer. In order to ensure the security of both the residents and the tourists, we work with the Florida Highway Patrol to raise awareness of the dangers of an impaired driving. As President of the Florida Sheriffs Association, I fully support the campaign with Never Drive impairment because it saves life and makes our streets safer for everyone. ” said Charlotte County Sheriff and FSA President Bill Prummell.

The FPCA President Charlie Vazquez, head of the Tampa International Airport police, said, said“While we are preparing for this year's campaign with Never Drive impairment, the Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to remind everyone that driving disorders are a choice and every driver has power to make our streets safer. When planning your Spring Break adventure in our beautiful state, take the time to arrange how you can get safely and from any event where you have the potential to be affected. We encourage all Floridians and visitors to deal with this mission, to keep our streets and each other safer all year round. “

Since 2020, open container quotes that have been issued to the passengers have risen by 60%, and those who have been issued to drivers have risen by 40%. Contrary to the People's Gut Passengers MAY Get a non -moving violation with a associated fee for possession of an open container. Drivers with an open container look like a movable injury, the fine and possible points on their license.

According to the law of Florida, driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances or controlled substances is a criminal offense that is demonstrated by impairment of normal faculties or illegal blood alcohol or breath alcohol of 0.08 or more. The punishments after conviction are the same, regardless of how the crime is proven.

Penalties for DUI:

• For each DUI conviction, your driver's license will be revoked for at least 180 days.
• If you refuse to carry out a necessary street tests at the time of the arrest, your license will be automatically suspended for one year.
• Finning for DUI can be between 500 and 5,000 US dollars with mandatory dui school training.
• The punishments can include a ignition lock, non -profit service, probation or imprisonment.
• DUI convictions must remain in their recording for 75 years.

Always be safe and accountable behind the steering wheel. You and everyone else are put in danger during the driving disorder. Impairment is a choice and is completely avoidable. Never be affected. Further information on the types of impairments, campaign resources, data and more can be found under FLHSMVS impaired driving grove or annually impaired driving report.

###

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) offers motorway safety and security through excellent performance, education and enforcement. Find out more on our website.

The Florida Highway Patrol strives to achieve the basic values ​​of courtesy, service and protection. It is the task of FHP to ensure the security and well -being of millions of residents and visitors Florida every day.

More information about FHP or how to become one of the best Floridas, visit BeaTrooper.com.