Contact:
Major Ernesto Duarte
Florida Highway Patrol
850-617-2301

For Release November 26, 2007:

Twenty-seven people were killed in crashes investigated by Florida Highway Patrol troopers over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday driving period, which began on Wednesday, November 21, and extended through Sunday, November 25, 2007.

During this period, troopers arrested 162 people for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (D.U.I.); issued 7,177 citations for unlawful speed violations; issued 1,165 citations for safety belt violations; and assisted 4,112 motorists on Florida’s highways.

The following statistics are preliminary and cover only those crashes investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.

• The 27 deaths occurred in 26 separate traffic crashes.
• 15 fatalities (or 56%) occurred during the hours of darkness.
• 4 of the fatal traffic crashes (or 15 %) were known to be alcohol-related; 10 (or 35%) remain listed as pending; with 12 (or 46%) presently classified as not alcohol related.
• Of the 27 deaths, 1 (or 4%) was a pedestrian; 2 (or 7%) were bicyclists; 1 (or 4%) was riding an ATV; and 3 (or 11%) were motorcyclists.
• 80% of those killed in vehicles normally equipped with safety belts were not wearing their belts.