The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is spreading the message this March that as people celebrate spring break in Florida, not to drive drunk.
With record population numbers and record number of visitors, Florida’s beautiful beaches and tourist attractions lure thousands of spring breakers every year, but bad decisions about drugs and alcohol can change lives forever. DHSMV reminds everyone to be safe as they celebrate their spring break. Throughout the month of March, law enforcement agencies will be out enforcing the state’s drinking age laws and working to keep impaired drivers off the roads.
- Florida is one of the top Spring Break destinations in the country for high school and college-aged students.
- Throughout the month of March, FHP and our state and local law enforcement partners will be focusing on the state’s drinking age laws and working to keep impaired drivers off the roads.
- There were more than 32,000 crashes across the state in March 2015 alone, of those 478 involved drivers who had alcohol in their system and 44 people were killed in alcohol related crashes.
- Law enforcement officers issued more than 4,500 DUI citations in March 2015 in Florida.
- Florida troopers do not tolerate impaired driving. Drive sober and drive safely.
- Driving impaired not only puts everyone on the roadways in danger, but drivers should also know that Florida’s tough DUI laws have stiff penalties that can leave you with an empty wallet and you in jail.
- FL Law:
- The legal drinking age in Florida is 21.
- Anyone under the age of 21 in possession of alcohol can be cited for a second-degree misdemeanor, which can lead to costly court fees, fines and other lasting consequences.
- Selling alcohol to anyone under 21 or buying alcohol for anyone under 21 is also a misdemeanor.
- Possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle (in motion or stopped) by the driver and or the passenger(s) is a violation of Florida law.
- The penalties for DUI last a long time. A DUI conviction will remain on your driving record for 75 years.
- Plan ahead. Always designate a sober driver before any drinking begins, or take a taxi or public transportation if you plan to drink alcohol. Call a ride service or take the bus ride. It is much cheaper than a DUI arrest.
- Do not let an impaired friend drive, take the keys and save a life.
- Remember, a person’s judgment is the first thing affected after drinking an alcoholic beverage; impairment begins with the first drink. Choose not to drink if you are driving, designate a sober driver.
- With DHSMV, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is committed to ensuring that alcohol stays out of the hands of individuals under the legal drinking age and that Florida establishments remain in compliance with the Florida Beverage Law during spring break.
- The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is encouraging businesses to cultivate safe environments and ensure that patrons enjoy their experiences while traveling around our great state.
- With more than 1.8 million visitors in Florida on any given day, Visit Florida reminds spring breakers that drinking and driving is no way to enjoy an incredible Sunshine State spring break experience.
- The department is partnering with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Sheriff’s Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Visit Florida and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to spread this important safety message this Spring Break season.