Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Thousands were cited during the recent “Drive Sober Get Pulled Over” campaign conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
As we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, Florida is one of the deadliest in the country for drunk driving accidents. These accidents continue to be the cause of about 30 percent of all traffic fatalities.
Well, officials with the FHP and local law enforcement officers throughout the state were combing our roadways from the 12th of December through the 2nd of January. Patrols were beefed up and administrative duties were postponed — all in an effort to keep you safe.
Our Naples drunk driving accident lawyers understand that Florida officials were able to dish out more than 39,000 citations during this enforcement period. In addition to the citations, they were able to apprehend close to 550 individuals for driving under the influence. It doesn’t stop there either. Officials handed speeding citations to close to 14,000 drivers and seat belt citations to more than 2,500 motorists.
Still, there were close to 11,000 traffic accidents that occurred over this enforcement period, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
It wasn’t all bad news though. Officials were able to lend a helping hand to close to 11,000 motorists who may have broken down, got a flat tire or even ran out of gas.
“Our troopers were out on the roadways to help Florida residents and visitors have a safe and enjoyable holiday period,” said Col. David Brierton with the FHP.
With the release of this information, FHP officers are also reminding motorists of the “Move Over Law,” which we also discussed on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog.
When you’re approaching an emergency vehicle, whether it’s a police officer, an ambulance or a tow truck, you’re required to move over a lane and offer them some space. It’s for their safety! If you can’t move over a lane because it’s blocked or because there isn’t a lane to move into, you’re required to slow your vehicle down to 20 miles per hour below the speed limit. If you’re driving down a road that has a 20 mile per hour speed limit, then you’re required to drop the speed to 5 miles per hour.
With the enforcement period done and the New Year already here, we’re asking drivers to renew their devotion to safe driving. Safe decisions behind the wheel have the ability to save lives. Some of the most important things you can do are vow to stay sober behind the wheel, keep the distractions out of the driver’s seat, obey local, state and federal driving laws and make sure everyone is buckled in during each car ride. These 4 simple tips can help keep you and your family safer on the road.
Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, represents drunk driving accident victims in Southwest Florida. Call for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case. 1-800-283-2900.
More Blog Entries:
Florida: One of the Deadliest for Drunk Driving Car Accidents, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, December 30, 2012
The Fight Continues for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in Southwest Florida, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, August 5, 2012
