Impaired Driving Hero
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Impaired Driving in Florida

Impaired driving remains one of the most serious and preventable safety issues on Florida’s roadways. Driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, marijuana, or some over-the-counter medications can cause impairment and inhibit your ability to drive safely.

Impairment is not limited to alcohol. Drugs, including illegal substances, like marijuana, prescription medications, and some over-the-counter products, can also affect judgment, coordination, reaction time, and decision making. When drivers are impaired, the risk of a serious or fatal crash increases for everyone on the road. Every safe choice behind the wheel helps protect lives and supports Florida’s goal of zero transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries.

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EVERY 48 minutes, there is another alcohol-impaired-driving fatality.

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EVERY 13 seconds another person is injured.

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EVERY 7 seconds there is another property damage crash.

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MARIJUANA IS THE 2ND most common drug linked to substance-impaired driving.

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Impaired Driving

Don’t Drive High

Don’t Drive High

Impaired Driver

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Road Background
FACTS
  • In 2022, 29% of Florida traffic fatalities involved impaired drivers.
  • Alcohol and drugs, which include illegal substances, marijuana, prescription medications, and some over-the-counter products, can cause impairment.
  • Every 48 minutes, there is another alcohol-impaired-driving fatality.
  • Every 13 seconds, another person is injured due to impaired driving.
  • Every 7 seconds, there is another property damage crash.
  • Your driver's license could be suspended for up to 2 years if convicted of a DUI.
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Engineering for Safety

Engineering and safe road design plays a significant part in helping reduce the risk and severity of impaired driving crashes. The Florida Department of Transportation’s engineering strategies focus on creating safer systems that account for human error. Clearly posted speed limits, improved signage, enhanced lighting, and roadway features such as reduced speed zones all help drivers make safer decisions. These tactics are important in areas with changing traffic patterns, varied weather conditions, or limited visibility.

Additional engineering solutions, such as wrong way driving detection systems, help identify dangerous situations early and reduce crashes. These methods support the Safe by DESIGN principle by reducing opportunities for severe outcomes when driver impairment or error occurs.

Enforcement and High Visibility Efforts

Enforcement is a key component of impaired driving prevention. Law enforcement agencies across Florida use high visibility enforcement strategies to deter impaired driving and remove dangerous drivers from the road. These efforts include increased patrols, sobriety checks where permitted, and coordinated enforcement waves.

High visibility enforcement works alongside education and engineering to reinforce safe behavior.
Drivers are reminded that impaired driving has real consequences and that Florida’s roads are actively monitored to protect everyone who uses them. Reporting suspected impaired or aggressive driving also plays
an important role.

IF YOU SEE A DANGEROUS DRIVER, CALL *FHP (*347) OR 911 IN AN EMERGENCY.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Data-Driven Education

Drive Sober Florida is a resource for everyone who uses Florida’s roadways. Supported by a data-driven research approach to develop and provide impaired driving information and education, safety strategies, impaired driving data, and more. For additional information, visit DriveSoberFL.com.

“AM I OKAY TO DRIVE?”

IF YOU HAVE CONSUMED ANY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, THE ANSWER IS NO.

REMEMBER, A PERSON’S JUDGEMENT IS THE FIRST THING AFFECTED BY IMPAIRMENT.

Safety remains a top priority for the Florida Department of Transportation. We encourage drivers to make the responsible choice every time they get behind the wheel: Drive Sober.

Start the conversation in your community today - encourage family and friends to be safe and accountable on the road by driving sober.

Let’s get everyone home safely!

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Awareness Matters

The data tells a powerful story. Florida’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan shows that one in four traffic fatalities involves a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data underscores the severity of this issue, with December 2022, ranking among the highest months for drunk-driving deaths in the past 15 years.

Drug-impaired driving is equally dangerous and illegal in all 50 states. A recent national study found that approximately one in four seriously injured drivers had active THC, the primary ingredient in marijuana, in their system.

These crashes are not accidents. They are preventable.

Substances that cause impairment can include:

  • Alcohol
  • Illegal drugs, including marijuana
  • Prescription drugs
  • Over-the-counter medications

Plan ahead and choose safe alternatives:

  • Plan for a sober ride before heading out.
  • Only drive if you are sober.
  • If you’re hosting a gathering, never let someone drive impaired. Help them secure a safe, sober ride home.
  • Tow to Go: During the holiday season, AAA offers their free Tow to Go program throughout Florida! Tow to Go provides a free and confidential ride for impaired drivers and their vehicles who do not have a safe alternative, within 10 miles. To arrange a Tow to Go, call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO (855-286-9246).
  • If you see a suspected impaired driver, call *FHP (*347). For emergencies, dial 911.