Statewide DUI Crackdown Kicks Off

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Folks with big party plans heading into the final stretch of summer may want to think twice before getting behind the wheel impaired. The Florida Highway Patrol announced the kickoff of its annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign on Thursday.

The enhanced effort to pull impaired drivers off roads is set to take place this year from Aug. 17 through Labor Day, Sept. 4. In Florida, troopers join other officers across the state in concentrating efforts to keep roads safe through the big holiday weekend. The campaign is part of a national effort to crack down on impaired drivers.

Get the Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

“Impaired driving puts drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk, and each year it claims the lives of too many people,” Col. Gene S. Spaulding, FHP’s director, said in announcing the enforcement effort. “If you drink, be responsible and have a designated driver to get you to your destination safely. There is never an excuse for impaired driving.”

Motorists are considered impaired in Florida when they have blood alcohol content levels of .08 or higher. Underage drivers are considered impaired with BACs of .02 or higher. The patrol and other law enforcement agencies strongly urge motorists to designate a driver, use a ride service or simply to stay put if they drink too much to get behind the wheel.

Throughout the enhanced enforcement effort, troopers “will be out in force on the highways to aid motorists and remove drivers from the road,” FHP promised in announcing this year’s campaign. Auxiliary troopers are also expected to volunteer to add to the number of officers on the road during the upcoming holiday weekend.

Motorists who encounter impaired or aggressive drivers are asked to pull over to safe locations and contact the patrol by calling *FHP from their cellphones.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol