Never drive while impaired - March safety campaign for Florida

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)

~In 2023, 10% of Impaired Driving Crashes in Florida Occurred during March. Never drive impaired.~

Tallahassee, Florida – Driving impaired has real consequences, negatively impacting thousands of Floridians and visitors yearly. To raise awareness of the negative impacts of driving impaired, and to reduce impaired-driving-related crashes and fatalities across the state, throughout March, FLHSMV and FHP will spearhead an impaired-driving awareness campaign titled Never Drive Impaired which will prioritize safety and stress the importance of making responsible decisions before getting behind the wheel.

“There is no excuse for driving while impaired,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “An average of 1,200 people die in Florida a year because of impaired driving in Florida. That’s 1,200 preventable deaths and 1,200 broken families. Choosing to drive while under the influence not only endangers yourself but also poses a serious threat to other drivers on the road.”

"Impaired driving is a serious safety issue that puts not only the impaired driver but also the passengers and other road users at risk," said FHP Colonel Gary Howze II. "Your Florida Highway Patrol and our law enforcement partners will be out conducting safety enforcement, but everyone who gets behind the wheel must also do their part by taking responsibility for their actions and not driving while impaired."

In March 2023, there were 1,359 crashes involving an impaired driver, with alcohol confirmed in 1,201 of those crashes. Additionally, March 2023 saw nearly 100 fatalities and over 100 serious bodily injuries. Individuals in the 20-29 age group were the most reported age group in crashes, with 306 alcohol-related crashes, followed closely by the 30-39 age group, with 302 alcohol-related crashes.

Of the 13,596 impaired-driving crashes – those influenced by drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both – in Florida in 2023, 10% (1,359) occurred in March. Historically, citations issued for driving under the influence (DUI) and open-container violations are at their highest during March. There were 4,033 DUI citations, and 877(733 operator and 144 passenger) open-container citations were issued in Florida last March.

Impaired driving is not limited to just alcohol; it could also involve recreational and pharmaceutical drugs. While still nowhere near the same frequency of alcohol impairment, drug impairment has steadily increased every year since 2014. In March 2023, 355 crashes were drug-confirmed.

Unlike alcohol, there is no specific impairment limit with marijuana. Marijuana affects everyone differently and can remain in a person’s system much longer than alcohol.

Marijuana is the most prevalent drug for teenagers and young adults involved in crashes in Florida. Individuals in the 30-39 age group were the most reported age group in crashes, with 99 drug-related crashes, followed closely by the 20-29 age group at 91 drug-related crashes.

Under Florida law, driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or an unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above. The penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of how the offense is proven.

PENALTIES FOR DUI:

• For any DUI conviction, your driver’s license will be revoked for a minimum of 180 days.
• If you refuse to take a required roadside test at the time of arrest, your 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 your record for 75 years.

BOTTOM LINE:

• Driving under the influence of drugs is driving impaired.
• It’s important to know that mixing drugs and alcohol often multiplies their effects. For example, one drink, when you are taking allergy or cold medication could have the same effect as several drinks.
• If you feel different, you drive differently.
• FHP and law enforcement officers statewide are trained to spot the signs of impaired driving and are constantly monitoring Florida’s roadways to keep everyone safe. While they must keep our roadways safe, it is also every driver’s responsibility to do their part.

THE FIVE SIGNS OF IMPAIRMENT:

Under the influence of alcohol and drugs, drivers can experience:
• A slow reaction time.
• Limited short-term memory functions.
• Decreased hand-eye coordination.
• Weakened concentration.
• Difficulty perceiving time and distance.

Always be safe and accountable behind the wheel. Driving impaired puts you and everyone else on the road in danger. Impairment is no illusion. Never Drive Impaired.

For more information on the types of impairment, campaign resources, data, and more, visit FLHSMV’s Impaired Driving webpage at https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/impaired-driving/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

This message was delivered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), along with campaign partners at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA), Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA), and AAA-The Auto Club Group - to remind Florida residents and visitors to enjoy the beautiful weather and NEVER DRIVE IMPAIRED.