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Published on Tuesday, January 6, 2004
in the Port Charlotte Sun-Herald
While the figure may seem small at 15, that is still 15 too many people who lost their lives during the New Year's holiday last week.
According to figures from the Florida Highway Patrol, the 15 deaths occurred in 13 separate traffic crashes in the state. Nine of the fatalities occurred after dark.
Amazingly, only two of the crashes are known to be alcohol-related as of Monday. Nine other crashes are still under investigation.
Luckily for DeSoto County residents, no fatal traffic crashes were reported during the holiday, which officially runs from midnight Dec. 31 to midnight Jan. 1. However, eight of the 13 crashes did occur in rural areas.
According to FHP officials, Broward, Marion, Orange and Lee counties saw the most deaths during the New Year's holiday. None of the accidents were linked to inclimate weather.
"We never want to see any deaths, especially during a holiday," said an unidentified spokesperson at the FHP headquarters in Tallahassee. "But maybe the message is finally getting out about drinking and driving."
While alcohol-related crashes seemed to be less than expected this holiday, authorities are still concerned with the number of motorists not wearing seat belts. Statistics show that seven of the 11 drivers and passengers killed were not wearing their seat belts. The other deaths included a pedestrian, two motorcyclists and one bicyclists. No Southwest Florida counties reported any fatalities.
For more information on the Florida Highway patrol, visit the state's Web site at www.flhsmv.gov/fhp.