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Published on Wednesday, December 17, 2003
in the Daytona Beach News-Journal
PALM COAST -- For those thinking they have to drive home after drinking during the holidays, the Florida Highway Patrol advises you to think again.
FHP is joining local law enforcement agencies in a two-pronged effort to keep drunken drivers off roads in Flagler and Volusia counties this month.
In Flagler County, the department is one of six participating in a sobriety checkpoint Friday at Palm Coast Parkway and Frontage Road. Officials at the checkpoint plan to stop vehicles to look for impaired drivers and other vehicle violations, such as expired driver's licenses and defective equipment.
Flagler County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Michael Van Buren, whose department is participating, hoped the threat of getting caught driving drunk would deter most from trying to do it.
"If we could get one or two people to rethink drinking and getting behind the wheel, we would consider this a success," Van Buren said.
The second program in Volusia County is called a "wolf pack" and overloads high traffic-accident and alcohol-related-violation areas with law enforcement personnel to enforce traffic regulations more strictly.
Kim Miller, an FHP spokeswoman in Orlando, said her division moved away from roadblocks because the resources could be better spent on the streets instead of in one spot.
"They are too labor intensive and if you are a smart drunk, you are going to avoid it," Miller said.
Lt. Bill Leeper, an FHP spokesman in Jacksonville, said the key to avoiding tickets or accidents for driving under the influence of alcohol is to think ahead. Leeper's Jacksonville post is responsible for Flagler County.
"The best thing to do, if you are going to drink, is make arrangements for how to get home," Leeper said. "Too many people are killed unnecessarily because of people who drink and drive."
Over Thanksgiving weekend, 16 people died from alcohol-related traffic accidents in Florida, according to the FHP. In 2002, 1,007 people were killed statewide in alcohol-related accidents, a slight increase from 1,000 in 2001.
Miller also advises people to arrange for transportation before they attend a party or social function. Those who don't plan ahead and drink too much at a party can call a taxi or participate in the American Automobile Association's Tow 2 Go program. The program allows people who are unable to drive during the holidays to get a free tow of their vehicle from the party to their residence. The program is in its fourth year and is available by calling (800) 222-4357.
"There is no excuse for people to be drinking and driving anymore," Miller said.