Fatalities from crashes involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, dropped by more than 33 percent in Florida in 2020 compared to the previous year.
However, despite the decrease, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has vowed not to let off the gas for impaired-driving education and prevention efforts in 2021.
Throughout March, when Florida traditionally sees an increase in travel and visitors due to spring break, FLHSMV and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are leading the ‘Never Drive Impaired’ campaign in partnership with state agencies and safety organizations across Florida to remind motorists that there is never an excuse to drive impaired.
“Choosing to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs can have serious, life-altering consequences,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes.
“You can hurt yourself. You can hurt others. Keep our roads, loved ones, and yourself safe by pledging to Never Drive Impaired. No Excuses.”
As a result of changes in driving behavior due to the pandemic, the total number of impaired-driving crashes, fatalities, and injuries that involved drugs, alcohol, or a combination of drugs and alcohol, all declined from 2019 to 2020.
The total number of impaired-driving crashes decreased by more than 16 percent, impaired-driving fatalities from crashes decreased by more than 33 percent, and impaired-driving injuries from crashes decreased by more than 26 percent.
