Published on Saturday, September 2, 2006
in the Ft. Myers News-Press

Troopers look to reduce traffic fatalities

Labor Day weekend crackdown planned on drunken driving Forty-four people died during Labor Day weekend last year in Florida, and Highway Patrol troopers hope to reduce that number this year.

Troopers will crack down on drunken driving this weekend, with extra patrols through Monday at midnight.

In 2005, 23 of the 39 fatality accidents throughout the state were alcohol-related. In the 96-hour period troopers stepped up patrols last year, they handled nearly a fatality every half hour.

The FHP will be participating in a national program called "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest."

Troopers said drunken-driving fatalities are on the rise statewide, up 13.4 percent from 2004 to 2005. Labor Day fatalities were up 91 percent from 2004 to 2005.

Troopers and drivers will be dealing with rain, forecasters predict. The chances of rain throughout Lee County are between 40 and 60 percent and rainfall totals are expected to be as much as a 1/4 inch of rain up and down Interstate 75 through Tampa.

AAA projects 35 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles, 1.9 million in Florida.

Most of those will be on the roads, but about 300,000 are expected to fly.

Good news is gas prices statewide are down 6.4 percent from last month. The average price of gas in Lee County on Friday was $2.90 for regular, down from $3.03 from a month ago, but up from $2.68 a year ago.

If anyone sees a person they believe might be driving while intoxicated, troopers urge people to call *FHP, which is *347, a toll-free call from a cell phone.

Lt. Doug Dodson said troopers would like to keep 911 lines as clear as possible unless there is an emergency.