Published on Wednesday, November 30, 2005
in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

FHP reports 37 deaths in Florida over Thanksgiving holiday

The Florida Highway Patrol announced 37 deaths resulting from crashes over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday period, in a report released today.

The report also indicates troopers arrested 88 people for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (D.U.I.), issued 7,368 tickets for speed violations, 1,586 tickets for safety belt violations and assisted 3,587 motorists on Florida's highways.

The following statistics, provided by FHP Lieutenant Bill Ferrell, cover only those crashes investigated by the agency:

* The 37 deaths occurred in 29 separate traffic crashes.

* 23 fatalities (or 62%) occurred during the hours of darkness.

* 3 of the fatal traffic crashes (or 10%) were known to be alcohol-related; 16 (or 55%) remain listed as unknown; with 10 (or 34%) presently classified as not alcohol related.

* Of the 37 deaths, 8 (or 22%) were pedestrians; 2 were bicyclists; (or 7%) and 1 (or 3%) was a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was known to be wearing a helmet.

* 76% of those killed in vehicles normally equipped with safety belts were not wearing their belts.