Published on Monday, May 28, 2007
in the Leesburg Daily Commercial

Let's be careful out there this weekend

Law enforcement officers have an eagle eye out this holiday weekend for the twin enemies of traffic safety: alcohol and not buckling up.

That's where the stress will be this Memorial day weekend, said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. George Delahoz, on driver safety and traffic violations.

And with good reason, he said.

Last Memorial Day weekend saw the deaths of 54 people in 51 traffic crashes.

"Out of these, 54 percent were alcohol-related," Delahoz said. "In addition, 63 percent of those killed were not wearing their seat belts."

Delahoz said 27 traffic deaths have occurred so far in Lake County with seven in Sumter County. Last year, 29 people died Lake County accidents before the Memorial Day weekend with 57 overall for 2006. Sumter County ended the year with 25 deaths.

With heavy traffic expected this year, sheriff's deputies, police officers and the FHP will have extra manpower ready to handle the heavy traffic and violations.

"The sheriff's office is strictly enforcing traffic laws this year," said Sumter County Sheriff Lt. Bobby Caruthers. "We will have zero tolerance for anyone caught breaking them."

Lake and Sumter counties, this year, are involved with FHP in the highly-publicized Click It or Ticket campaign which will last until June 3.

Delahoz said 80 percent of drivers and passengers in Florida wear seat belts. "The hope is to break the habit of the remaining 20 percent," he said.

Even residents driving in sports utility vehicles are at risk when it comes to seat belts. It creates a false sense of security because SUVs can roll over and eject the driver and passengers not wearing seat belts, Delahoz said.

Deputies from both counties are ready to enforce, while advising residents to practice smart thinking when it comes to driving.

"If people are going to any Memorial Day celebrations and plan on drinking, bring along a designated driver," Caruthers said. "Otherwise, they should do their drinking at home."

Lake County Sheriff Sgt. Christie Mysinger said the same policy will be observed out on the water as well. The Lake County Sheriff's Marine Patrol will out patrolling the lakes for offenders.

"Drinking and boating is just as big as drinking and driving," she said. "They're the same mixture."

Mysinger said she knows Memorial Day is the kick-off for summer. She advises people, especially kids and young adults, to pay attention to other people on the street.

"They should use caution and respect to others on the road so they can have a good weekend," she said.

Municipal departments in the counties will increase manpower as well to monitor traffic laws and offenders.

"There are a lot of reckless drivers out there driving back and forth during this time of year," said. Clermont Police Lt. Eric Jensen.

The Clermont Police Department is not the only department aware of how dangerous the holiday weekend can be concerning driver safety. Bushnell police chief Joyce Wells said usually more alcohol consumption is done during the holidays.

"People need to place a strong consideration on defensive driving when it comes to others driving impaired," said Eustis Police Captain R.A. Robinson.

Because the holidays tend to produce more alcohol-related traffic incidents, Lt. Robert Hicks of the Leesburg Police Department also expressed an emphasis on defensive driving.

This year, LPD will place a stronger emphasis on traffic violations by conducting DUI saturation patrols, where officers will be out in full force looking for DUI offenders.

Alcohol and seat belts aren't the only concern for traffic as heavy rain can impact safety on the road. Interestingly enough, the FHP released a holiday alert for drivers to watch out for the seasonal swarming of lovebugs.

"Lovebugs splattered on the windshield are as bad," Delahoz said.

The Florida Turnpike will offer free windshield cleaning to drivers but lines may get long, Delahoz said. He said drivers should bring along extra windshield fluid and nylon scrubber.