Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is just as simple as it sounds. Florida Highway Patrol is cracking down on impaired drivers in hopes of minimizing drunk driving accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and statewide between August 19 – September 5.
Our Fort Pierce accident lawyers wish everyone a safe upcoming Labor Day weekend but whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. Impaired drivers caused more than 30 percent of traffic fatalities nationwide in 2009. A total of 35 percent of fatalities in Florida in 2009 were caused by drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .01 or higher.
Colonel David Brierton, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Director, emphasizes that the cost is just too high for motorist to take a chance. Impaired drivers trying to beat the odds could get socked with possible jail time, higher insurance rates, lost time from work and suspension of their driver’s license if they are caught in the act. There is no greater cost than taking a life.
Anyone who wears a FHP uniform will be patrolling roadways and interstates on Labor Day weekend. Traffic will be more congested with holiday travel so beefing up enforcement and making police officers more visible should help deter drivers from getting behind the wheel drunk.
Wink News Now reports that more than 10,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the country are embracing the nationwide campaign by adding sobriety checkpoints and a multitude of patrol officers, especially during evening hours when the odds of an impaired driver being on the roadway are even greater.
The goal is to reduce drunk driving accidents on roadways, create awareness by educating the public on how dangerous it is to drive impaired and dissuade someone who is drunk from wanting to get behind the wheel. Motorists can help the cause by planning ahead, designating a driver or drinking non-alcoholic beverages at a gathering or barbeque.
As part of back to school preparation this year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving offers these tips to parents with teen drivers:
-Initiate a conversation about the dangers of alcohol and how it can impair judgment and decision making.
-Make it clear to your teen driver that you will not tolerate drinking and driving and what to expect when rules are broken.
-Create a respectful relationship with your teen by give and take. Listen with an open mind and give your opinion fervently.
-Engage in family time and show your teen you care by spending quality time together. Set a goal to have dinner and work on projects 3 times a week.
-Be consistent with rewards and punishments. If a rule is broken always enforce the punishment.
Drunk driving is risky and dangerous and should never be considered when so many options are available.
If you detect an impaired driver on the roadway, dial *FHP for help.
The car accident attorneys at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC have years of experience representing drunk driving victims and their families in Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie or West Palm Beach. Contact the firm if you have been injured by calling 1-800-561-7777 for a free consultation.
Additional Resources:
FMPD: ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’, Wink News Now.
Victim Awarded More than $15 Million after Fort Lauderdale Drunk Driving Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, July 13, 2011.