FHP Heats up DUI Patrols on New Year's Eve

National Drunk & Drugged Driving Month

During New Year’s Holiday, the purpose of Florida Highway Patrol and other local law enforcement agencies is to decrease the presence of Impaired Drivers on the roads as everyone knows that New Year’s Holiday attracts drunk drivers on the roads.

The Florida Highway Patrol is participating in the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month activities and the troopers want to tell the drivers to take care on the road.

“New Year’s is a party-type holiday. We want to remind people that even during your celebrations you have to make plans ahead of time. We don’t want to mix alcohol and motor vehicles,” said by Sgt. Steve Gaskins.

He advised to the individuals who like to take alcohol on New Year’s parties, that anyone going out on Monday should come up with a plan to get home safely. He added, “Plan for a designated driver, party at home or plan to party at places where you don’t have to drive home. (We’ll) have as many extra patrols out there as possible. People (need to know) if they go out there and are drinking and driving, we’ll remove (them) from the highway as necessary.”

Local law enforcement agencies have promised that the DUI pressure will be increased during the New Year’s Holiday to make the roads safe.

Sgt. Steve Gaskins said that sober drivers can also help Local Law Enforcement Agencies and the FHP in making the roads safe by calling the FHP to report drivers who are driving while intoxicated. Anyone can call the FHP on their cell phones to report drunk drivers. He also said that the callers should provide details of the car when they call to report. The tag numbers, vehicle description and the travel direction should be included in the details.