The results are in and officers with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) weren’t messing around. During the recent holiday enforcement period for the Fourth of July holiday, which took place from the 1st through the 4th of July, troopers increased patrols on the hunt for dangerous and impaired drivers.
This enforcement effort aimed reduce the risks of car accidents in Wellington and elsewhere in the state.
During this holiday enforcement period, officers issued nearly 8,500 traffic citations and arrest more than 80 drivers for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. All of these citations were handed out over the four-day enforcement period. Drivers apparently didn’t get the message about the risks for accidents and citations during this time of the year as all safety concerns seemed to be out the window.
Breaking Down the Citations:
-More than 3,530 were ticketed for speeding.
-More than 655 were ticketed for not wearing a seat belt.
There were also nearly 2,500 motorists who were assisted on the side of the road by troopers, so enforcement efforts weren’t all bad. During these popular travel holidays, breakdowns and accidents happen. That’s another reason why state troopers employ more officers during these times of the year.
Troopers were also keeping an eye on the workings of commercial vehicles. They were able to conduct nearly 1,110 inspections on commercial vehicles. As a result of these inspections, there were nearly 125 vehicles and more than 70 drivers who were put out of service because of various safety violations.
“The men and women of the Florida Highway Patrol did their part to identify unsafe drivers and took the steps to reduce aggressive driving and crashes on our roadways,” said Col. David Brierton, Director of the FHP.
Officials with the FHP would also like to take this time to remind drivers to move over a lane if they spot an emergency response vehicle, a law enforcement vehicle or any other vehicle on the side of the road with its rotating or flashing lights activated. It’s the law in the state of Florida.
Officials would also like to use this time to remind drivers about *FHP (*347), which is the number to call if you see an aggressive driver on the road or if you need to request roadside help.
The holiday accident risks may be over, but there are still a lot of dangers out there lurking on our roadways. Officers haven’t stopped their enforcement efforts either. They’re still combing our streets in search of intoxicated drivers, motorists who aren’t buckled up, speeders and other dangerous motorists. Drivers as still asked to be on their best behavior behind the wheel to help to make our roadways as safe as possible for everyone.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a drunk driving car accident in Wellington, or in any of the nearby areas, contact the South Florida injury attorneys at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Drowsy Driving Car Accidents in Coconut Creek and Elsewhere an Increasing Problem, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 30, 2012
Risks of Drunk Driving Accidents in Lantana and Elsewhere Reduced with more IIDs, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 29, 2012