Published on Thursday, September 1, 2005
in the Miami Herald

Highway Patrol starts holiday weekend enforcement at midnight

The Florida Highway Patrol will be out in force during its Labor Day holiday weekend enforcement effort, which begin just after midnight tonight and concludes at midnight on Monday.

The Highway Patrol has suspended office operations for all sworn personnel, who will be reassigned to patrol duties through Monday.

''Even though the official holiday period is Saturday through Monday, many people will be leaving on Friday to make the most of the last extended weekend of summer,'' said Col. Chris Knight, director of the Highway Patrol.

Troopers will be concentrating enforcement efforts on drunk, speeding, and aggressive drivers, and those who fail to buckle up or properly restrain their child passengers.

Motorists are encouraged to call *FHP (*347) on their cellular phone to report drunk, aggressive, or other dangerous drivers. Callers can remain anonymous. Motorists who experience car trouble on the highway or otherwise need assistance from the FHP are also encouraged to use *FHP.

During last year's 96-hour Labor Day holiday, 23 people were killed in crashes in Florida. Also, 59 percent of those drivers and passengers who were killed in vehicles normally equipped with safety belts were not using them, and 32 percent of the fatal traffic crashes were alcohol-related.

Troopers note that drivers arrested for D.U.I. in Florida face license suspension or revocation, having their vehicles impounded or confiscated, increased penalties such as fines and/or jail time, higher insurance rates and the stigma of being arrested for D.U.I.

Recently released crash statistics for 2004 indicate that more than 1,093 persons were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes in Florida last year.

''It's easy to forget that dry statistics represent real people and real lives. Our troopers are too familiar with the unpleasant responsibility of knocking on the door of a residence, and having to tell someone that their loved one is not coming home,'' Knight added.