548 motorists arrested for drunk driving during the three-week holiday crackdown in Florida

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

According to statistics provided by the officials of Florida Highway Patrol, 548 drunken drivers were arrested and pulled off Florida Highways during a three-week holiday crackdown. The announcement was made on Thursday. The crackdown was part of an annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign that runs nationwide.

In addition to the 548 motorists who were arrested for drunk driving or driving under the influence, 39,000 traffic citations were issued by troopers which included 13,600 for speeding and about 2,500 for not wearing a seat belt. 1,287 drivers were cited by troopers for speeding in Broward County, 671 in Miami-Dade and 1,412 in Palm Beach County.

Law enforcement agencies also reported that 58 people died in traffic crashes during the campaign period.

“Just imagine, if 548 were caught in that period, how many were out there drinking and driving that we did not catch?” said public affairs officer for Broward County, Sgt. Mark Wysocky.

“It is amazing to me that people still go out there and drink and drive, because we have all seen the tragic results,” he continued.

Of the DUI arrests, 82 were arrested in South Florida which included 38 in Broward County. 13 drivers were arrested by troopers in Palm Beach County and 31 from Miami- Dade County for driving.

According to FHP director, Col. David Bierton, during the campaign period, patrol beefed up its forces by having troopers postpone their administrative duties in order to help with the road patrols and assigning reservist and auxiliary troopers to patrol duty.

“Our troopers were out on the roadways to help Florida residents and visitors have a safe and enjoyable holiday period,” said Brierton. “Every year the members of the patrol do their part to identify unsafe drivers and remove them from the roadways, as well as take the appropriate steps to deter unsafe driving behaviors.”