South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
Law enforcement officers throughout the state recently teamed up to encourage spring breakers, both local and from out of town, to safely celebrate their time away from work and school.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), our beautiful beaches come with some serious risks, and unfortunately this time of year fuels poor decisions involving drugs and alcohol. Throughout the entire month of March, law enforcement officers will be out enforcing the state’s drinking laws and working to keep impaired drivers off of our roadways.
Our Vero Beach accident attorneys understand that spring break is a time to let loose a little bit, but there’s no letting loose from safety. Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are asking drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drunk and impaired driving not only puts the dangerous driver at risk, but it also compromises the safety of other innocent travelers along our roadways. Officials with the DHSMV are reminding drivers that the Sunshine State comes with some serious penalties for DUI. Not only do you risk jail time, but these charges, fees and fines can leave you with an empty wallet, too!
“Florida troopers do not tolerate impaired driving, so driver sober and drive safely,” said Col. David Brierton, FHP Director.
Officials with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will be also working to enforce our state’s beverage laws, while focusing on the state’s drinking age. Officials are working diligently to make sure that no one under the legal drinking age is being sold alcohol.
Remember these laws and tips to help ensure a safe spring break:
-The legal drinking age in the state of Florida is 21. Anyone who is underage who has possession of alcohol can be cited and slapped with a second-degree misdemeanor. This can result is come costly fines and some other serious consequences.
-If you’re busted selling alcohol to or buying alcohol for anyone under the age of 21, you can also be slapped with a misdemeanor.
-Both passengers and drivers are prohibited from obtaining and open alcohol beverage in a vehicle — whether it’s stopped or in motion.
-Make sure you plan ahead. Before you crack open a cool one, make sure you’ve got a safe and sober way to get home. A taxi or a bus is a lot cheaper that getting busted for DUI.
-If you spot a friend or a family member who is under the influence with keys in their hand — snatch them. Don’t let anyone get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
-Keep an eye on teens during this time of the year. Make sure they have strict curfews. Know who they’re with and when they’re coming home. Your knowledge can help to keep them safe and out of harm’s way.
-Call *FHP (*347) on your cell phone to report someone who you believe is an impaired driver.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a traffic accident, contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a free and confidential consultation at 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Roundabouts Slowing Drivers and Improving Roadway Safety, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, February 27, 2013
Broward Bus Driver “Retires” Before Being Fired, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, February 25, 2013