Be safe on roadways during Thanksgiving: Buckle up & eliminate distractions

Tallahassee, Florida - However you choose to celewbrate your Thanksgiving holiday this year, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) urge all motorists and their passengers to buckle up and eliminate distractions while on the roadways. Even if you don't travel to another location during the holiday, more people are on the roadways, increasing the dangers of driving.

Preliminary statistics for 2019 show there were 10,183 crashes in Florida during the Thanksgiving holiday period - the Friday before Thanksgiving until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Of those crashes, 392 resulted in serious bodily injuries and 98 fatalities.

From November 25-29, all available FHP troopers, reserve and auxiliary members will be patrolling the roads to help ensure safe travel.

Motorists are reminded to:
•Never drive impaired. Celebrate responsibly and do not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or took drugs that cause impairment. Plan ahead and find a safe way home every time – designate a driver or use a ride service.
•Check your tires. Tires are a vehicle’s first line of defense on the road. Check your tire pressure, tread depth and spare tire especially before long trips. Do not overload your vehicle, it can result in premature wear and tire blowouts.
•Buckle up. A seat belt is your vehicle’s most important safety feature. Florida law requires that all drivers, all front seat passengers and all passengers under the age of 18 wear seat belts or the appropriate child restraints. Seat belts save lives, so buckle up every trip, every time.
•Register or update your Emergency Contact Information (ECI). ECI is a secure system allowing law enforcement, nationwide, to contact designated family or friends in response to an emergency situation.
•Observe and obey all speed limits. Speed limits may change as you drive through different types of roadways, so make sure you adjust your speed accordingly. In Florida, the limit will never be over 70 mph.
•Check traffic conditions. Before leaving for a trip, check traffic conditions and allow sufficient time to arrive at your destination safely.
•Eliminate distractions. Always remember to keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and mind on driving.

The public is encouraged to report aggressive or impaired drivers by dialing *FHP (*347) and check traffic conditions before departing for their trip by visiting FL511.com. For more information, including downloadable Road Trip Checklist & Safety Tips, visit: flhsmv.gov/holiday.