Authorities to crackdown on DUI New Year’s Eve

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Authorities to crackdown on DUI New Year’s Eve

County News

Friday, 28 December 2012 16:21

By Brian McBride
Editor
Many New Year’s Eve area celebrators will likely be out looking for a festive time, but they won’t find a party sitting behind bars.
Local law enforcement agencies will be out in full force Monday night to keep the roads safe, including the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. “The Sheriff’s Office plans to increase both patrols and speciality units such as the DUI and aggressive driving units,” said Sheriff Bob Hansell. “Deputies will be on the lookout primarily for impaired drivers but also for aggressive and reckless drivers and other traffic violations.”
The Kissimmee Police Department is reminding motorists to drive with caution this holiday season with a visual display.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has placed a crashed vehicle on the median of the roundabout at Central Avenue and Neptune Road in Kissimmee.
The vehicle has a traffic sign next to it that flashes “Don’t Let A DUI Wreck Your Holidays! Drive Safely.”
The display will remain at the roundabout location until Wednesday.
“There is no excuse for driving impaired,” said Chief Lee Massie. “This visual display is just a subtle reminder to motorists to drive safe this holiday.”
The Florida Highway Patrol, with local law enforcement agencies, will conduct sobriety checkpoints and aggressively enforce Florida’s DUI laws. FHP will participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driving crack down until Jan. 1.
“We want everyone to enjoy the holidays, but also we want driving on our roadways to be safe,” said Col. David Brierton, FHP director. “The patrol will be out in full force to help save lives, and we are not going to tolerate impaired driving. So remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
On a state level, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Julie L. Jones, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles have teamed up to promote sober driving during the holiday season.
Bondi recently sponsored a resolution that recognized December as Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month to promote safe driving as many will be traveling to celebrate the holidays with loved ones. The attorney general, Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam signed the resolution.
“December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, and I encourage Floridians to act responsibly this holiday season,” said Bondi. “Those who drive under the influence endanger everyone on the road and will go to jail.”
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officials said it found that fatalities in crashes that involve one or more impaired drivers appear to increase significantly during the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday period and for thousands of families across Florida, the holiday season brings a somber reminder of the loved ones they lost to an impaired driver.
“Last year more than 1,100 people lost their lives in crashes where alcohol or drugs were involved or suspected, and thousands more were injured,” said Jones. “Any number more than zero is unacceptable for deaths that can be prevented, which is why we have partnered with Attorney General Bondi and other safety partners to promote driving safe and sober now and throughout the year.”
FHP tips are designed to help safeguard families friends and yourself on the road include:
• Plan ahead. If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Designate a sober driver or find another safe way home. Even one drink increases the risk of a crash while driving a motor vehicle.
• If you are impaired, find another way home. Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let them get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.
In Florida, a first DUI offense can lead to six months in jail and at least a $500 fine.
Any driver that is too intoxicated to drive can take advantage of the Tow to Go program on New Year’s Eve.
Since its inception in 1998, Tow to Go has safely removed more than 20,000 intoxicated drivers from the roads. But the service was designed to be used as a last resort. It is offered based on availability of AAA Service Technicians and tow trucks during times of high call volume.
Call 855-286-9246 from anywhere in Florida.
The service is free. It’s a confidential local ride within a 10-mile radius to a safe location. The AAA tow truck takes the vehicle and the driver home.
The Auto Club Group and Bud Light provide the Tow to Go service to discourage an intoxicated driver from getting behind the wheel and risking the lives and safety of other motorists, according to a press release. Not only does Tow to Go remove the intoxicated driver – it also enables AAA and Bud Light to remind the public to always choose a designated driver for a safe ride home.
There are however some guidelines, which include:
• Tow trucks can take up to two people home; if there are more people in your party – you will need to make other arrangements to get home safely.
• You can’t make an appointment to use the Tow to Go service, it is designed to be used as a last resort so have a designated driver before you have your first drink.
• If a person is too intoxicated to be safely transported in a tow truck, AAA may need to contact law enforcement to assist with getting the intoxicated individual a safe ride home.