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Published on Friday, November 26, 2004
in the Osceola News Gazette
With an expected increase in travel from last year's Thanksgiving weekend, local law enforcement will flood the local streets this weekend to help reduce traffic fatalities and injuries.
More than two million motorists were expected to drive throughout Florida over the four-day holiday weekend. AAA estimates that 37.2 million Americans nationwide would take a trip 50 miles or more from home, an increase of 3.1 percent from last year.
During the same period in 2003, 48 people were killed in 47 Florida crashes, state statistics showed.
"People need to be cautious," said Deputy Al DeArmas, spokesman for the Osceola Sheriff's Office.
Deputies will be working the roads, especially the U.S. Highway 192 corridor, one of the busiest arterial roads in Osceola County. Efforts will be supported through the agency's bicycle unit and the tourism assistance policing squad. Officials estimate that 29 percent of the crashes over Thanksgiving last year were alcohol-related.
"People think they can drink and drive and they can't," DeArmas said. "We' re going to be out and about. We have zero tolerance for DUI."
The Florida Highway Patrol will be targeting aggressive drivers on Interstate 4 on Sunday. Authorities will be looking for lane surfers, tailgaters, speeders and those who pass by using the shoulder of the road.
"People get impatient," said Trooper Kim Miller, agency spokeswoman.
The highway patrol has suspended all office operations for all sworn personnel normally assigned to administrative duties and reassigned them to the road. "The increased visibility our troopers provide during holiday periods is of immeasurable benefit to the motoring public," said Col. Chris Knight, highway patrol director, in a press release. "Our troopers, however, need the public's help to reduce fatalities and personal injury collisions. Our troopers will be out in force watching for those drivers who choose to break the law by driving in ways that endanger themselves and others."
During last year's holiday period, troopers issued 8,744 citations for speeding; 2,080 for safety belt and child restraint violations; and 123 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
For the sixth straight year, the "Tow to Go" program will be available throughout the state.
The program is designed to combat drunk driving by offering a free ride home and a free vehicle tow to adults who have consumed too many alcoholic beverages.
Last year, the program kept more than 1,300 potential drunk drivers off roadways across the southeast.
Any adult who needs a ride home can call 1-800-AAA-HELP. AAA will dispatch a tow truck and take both the driver and the vehicle home.