Florida law enforcement warns against driving drunk during New Year’s celebrations
Top 20 list of worst counties in Florida for drunk driving.

New Year's Eve drunk driving Uber
'Law enforcement will have extra deputies, officers and troopers monitoring the roadways.'

Florida’s top law enforcement officials are advising motorists to keep sober on state roadways during New Year’s Eve celebrations as they’ll be stepping up enforcement through Jan. 1 in response to a deadly festive season a year ago.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning drivers to resist any temptations to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. State officials said there will be special deployments by law enforcement throughout the state during the holiday.

An effort to reduce impaired motorists this holiday season, operation “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over,” is being enforced throughout much of the state through Jan. 1.

Moody prepared a video message that is currently appearing on YouTube with her warnings about impaired driving.

“National Impaired Driving Prevention Month serves as a critical reminder to be responsible on our roadways. Driving under the influence can shatter lives and devastate families,” Moody said.

“Law enforcement will have extra deputies, officers and troopers monitoring the roadways to help ensure Floridians remain safe throughout this holiday season. So please, drive sober or you will get pulled over.”

Moody reinforced her warnings with some sobering statistics about impaired driving from the 2022 holiday season in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Dashboard, the 2022 holiday season was particularly dangerous on roadways.

The dashboard shows there were 160 fatalities in Florida in December alone last year, which was a notable increase over 2021. The entirety of 2022 saw 6,200 impaired accidents in the Sunshine State resulting in more than 1,100 fatalities, said officials with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Florida Highway Patrol Col. Gary Howze said operation “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over” isn’t just about nabbing intoxicated drivers. There is a widespread public awareness campaign as well.

“The goal is to proactively educate the public on the dangers and consequences of getting behind the wheel while impaired. The holiday season, when people are celebrating with friends and loved ones, increases the risk of impaired driving,” Howze said.

“With that increase, FHP and our law enforcement partners, will step up enforcement efforts to remove impaired drivers from Florida roadways so everyone can arrive alive,” Howze said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies across Florida along with the civilian organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving are also participating in “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over.”

Officials are also advising motorists to use the American Automobile Association motor club service “Tow to Go,” which provides a free confidential ride service for anyone who might be impaired. Motorists can go to the AAA website to get free rides.

Moody offered some additional tips including:

— Do not drive under the influence or permit others to drive under the influence.

— Establish a designated driver, call a cab or use a ride-sharing service if there is no designated driver.

— Fasten seatbelts when driving or riding in a vehicle.

— Avoid distracted driving, including texting while driving.

— Beware of the increase in impaired drivers — especially at night.

Drew Dixon

Drew Dixon is a journalist of 40 years who has reported in print and broadcast throughout Florida, starting in Ohio in the 1980s. He is also an adjunct professor of philosophy and ethics at three colleges, Jacksonville University, University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville. You can reach him at [email protected].


3 comments

  • Earl Pitts "Sage Expert on Everything" American

    December 29, 2023 at 6:58 am

    Good Morn ‘Ting America,
    A greatfull nation bends it’s knee in gratitude to our “NEXT POTUS” Ron DeSantis for his sage authorization of getting this life saving message out to “All Americans”.
    See POTUS VOTERS, Ron and his lovely wife Casey care about all Americans, be they fine honest Patriots or trifalling annoying lying back-stabing Jew hateing leftists
    This sage message of life saving careing by Ron and Casey is predicted , by Earl, to have a landslide of voters who identify as Democrats cross party lines and vote Ron in as POTUS.
    Thank you America, EPA
    *FREE BUMPER STICKER*
    *DEMOCRAT VOTING FOR DESANTIS ON BOARD*

  • Earl Pitts "Sage Expert on Everything" American

    December 29, 2023 at 7:17 am

    ….. sorry to jump right back in F. P.,
    BUT:
    The Sage Political Stratigy of The Century just jumped into my Political Brain.
    STAND BY FOR SUCH SAGE STRATIGY AMERICA:
    “We are going to roll out a “NEW” type of voter. A voter never seen or heard of prior to “Earl’s Big Reveal” right here at our Beloved On-Line Host, F. P., (props to Peter)”.
    AMERICA I GIVE YOU “THE TRANS VOTER”:
    The Trans Voter has quietly already infiltrated our Great Nation in numbers too infentessimal for any Super Computer loaded with AI to calculate.
    LET EARL PREACH ON:
    “America since what we are rolling out is a totally new concept Earl will have to Dumb It Down to properly convay his Sage Message to The Planet”.
    The “Trans” Voter is a registared Democrat who Identifys As A Rupublican at the Voting Booth. This phenom has swept our Great Nation like C0vid did in our last POTUS race.
    IN CLOSING:
    AMERICA YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST;
    Earl Pitts “Cutting Edge Political Guru” American

  • tom palmer

    December 29, 2023 at 9:19 am

    you should not drive drunk anytime.

Comments are closed.


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