The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), are joining law enforcement agencies across the nation to promote a safety campaign that emphasizes the importance of driving unimpaired.
August 18 marked the beginning of the 2023 “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which is led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it runs through September 4. The national campaign focuses on driving sober as summer comes to an end and the Labor Day weekend commences.
Historically, this time of the year sees an increase in impaired driving fatalities, and the goal of this campaign is to increase awareness and enforcement efforts to reduce these numbers.
During the campaign period, FHP troopers will have an increased presence throughout Florida, and they are prepared and ready to take impaired motorists off the road.
While impaired driving is highly preventable, FHP states that the numbers prove that it is an ongoing problem. In Florida, during the 2022 Labor Day holiday weekend, over 50% of all fatalities that occurred were a result of an impaired driver – an increase of over 25% from the 2021 holiday weekend.
“There is absolutely no excuse to get behind the wheel impaired, and the devastation, pain, and death it can cause is permanent,” stated FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “The Florida Highway Patrol is passionate about taking impaired drivers off the road and to jail, and they are fully empowered to take whatever action is necessary to keep the public protected from the harm impaired drivers cause.”
FHP Director Colonel Gary Howze stated that troopers and law enforcement officers across the state will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers. “There will be zero tolerance for impaired drivers – always have a designated driver or a ride-share service available.”
In addition to damaging other people’s lives, driving impaired can result in a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction. The penalties for a DUI include:
- For any DUI conviction, one’s driver’s license will be revoked for a minimum of 180 days.
- If one refuses to take a required roadside test at the time of arrest, their license will be automatically suspended for one year.
- Fines for DUI can range from $500 to $5,000 with mandatory DUI school education.
- Penalties can include an ignition interlock device, community service, probation, or imprisonment.
- DUI convictions must remain on one’s record for 75 years.
FLHSMV and FHP are encouraging the public to exercise sound judgment year-round and do their part to save lives.
To report impaired drivers, contact law enforcement or dial *FHP (*347).