Florida Highway Patrol Hands Out 12,000 Citations over Thanksgiving Holiday
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has released its holiday weekend enforcement results for the Thanksgiving holiday. According to the preliminary results for November 23 through 27, there were 136 DUI arrests, 2,805 assist calls on the roadways, 4,882 speeding citations issued, and 1,332 seat belt citations given. FHP says it brought heightened enforcement to the roads, tapping into reservists and auxiliary troopers to keep a watchful eye and protect motorists from roadway hazards.
Altogether, FHP troopers handed out more than 12,000 traffic citations. Despite their best efforts, 26 people died on Florida’s highways due to auto accidents over the holiday period.
2010 Thanksgiving Holiday Statistics
Comparatively, in 2010 there were 12,770 citations issued in Florida and 121 DUI arrests along with 4,921 speeding citations. In 2010, 23 motorists died in fatal Florida auto accidents during the holiday, a 36 percent reduction from the year before (2009) when there were 36 deaths.
There may be a reason FHP did not cite the 2010 statistics in its press release. The DUI arrests, number of speeding citations, and death rate actually rose in 2011 compared to the year before. That may be due to increased enforcement or more reckless behavior on the roadways.
The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel seasons for families and there are always more cars on the roadways and people at airports. It is always a good idea to minimize distractions while taking a long car ride and drive when you are alert.
The Farah & Farah Jacksonville auto accident injury attorneys remind motorists that driving buzzed is increasingly frowned upon and can earn you a citation on your driving record and, of course, always wear your seat belt. If you do see an aggressive or intoxicated driver on Florida roads you can call on your cell phone *347 (*FHP) to call the Florida Highway Patrol.
Source: http://www.flhsmv.gov/news/pdfs/PR120111.pdf; http://www.flhsmv.gov/news/pdfs/PR120111.pdf
