Published on Tuesday, July 4, 2006
in the First Coast News

Independence Day Road and River Patrol at a High

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Troopers in Jacksonville say they're giving out hundreds of tickets today, mostly for speeding, and many for drunk driving.

It's because last year's Independence Day had 31 fatal crashes in Florida.

Of those, nearly half were alcohol-related.

And on this holiday, it's not just the roads being patrolled, it's also the river.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kenneth Frost is feeling lucky he's got the day shift this year.

He'll get to see some fireworks.

But he's got some long hours of law enforcement ahead of him.

And he says when it comes to speeders, he's heard it all today.

"Excuses are, you know, 'I just didn't realize it, or I didn't see the signs,' so, they're posted all over," said FHP Trooper Kenneth Frost.

But it's those drinking while driving that's his biggest concern.

"We're working a crash right now up on the Buckman Bridge we believe is alcohol related. Not too early, I guess, for a drink," said Frost.

If you're not on the roadways, you might be on the waterways.

And the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is out there with you.

"Saving lives. Waterways are not very forgiving, and it only takes one mistake that could cost a life," said JSO Sgt. Jim Suber.

That means having all the safety equipment on board, and not speeding.

"Of course, as they pointed out, though I wasn't aware, going slower when there's an event," said boater Al Santos.

Santos got a warning.

But JSO says it could've been much worse.

And while they're watching the river, Trooper Frost will be out there watching the roads.

By the numbers:

Those killed in car crashes Independence Day, 2005, According to the Florida Highway Patrol

19% were under 21 years of age

58% were drivers

29% were passengers

13% were pedestrians

0% were bicyclists

55% were not wearing their seatbelts

42% were alcohol-related

42% occurred after dark

58% occurred in clear weather

71% occurred on straight and level highways

65% occurred on state roads

Most of the fatal crashes during the Independence Day weekend, 2005 happened on the 3th of July.