For Release September 4, 2007:

PRELIMINARY FATALITY REPORT FOR
THE 2007 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY PERIOD

23 people were killed in crashes investigated by Florida Highway Patrol troopers over the four-day Labor Day holiday driving period, which began August 31, and ended September 3, 2007.

During this period, troopers charged 178 people with driving under the influence; issued 7,742 speeding citations; issued 1,301 seatbelt and child restraint citations; and assisted 3,165 motorists on Florida’s highways.

The Florida Highway Patrol again participated in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), a national program aimed at reducing the number of traffic crashes on interstate highways during holiday weekends. During the official holiday driving period (Friday, August 31, through Monday, September 3, 2007), the Florida Highway Patrol investigated 1,328 collisions. Of those, 110 were classified as alcohol-related.

The statistical information provided below represents preliminary figures and covers only those crashes investigated by Florida Highway Patrol troopers.

• The 23 deaths occurred in 20 separate traffic crashes.
• 13 fatalities (or 57 %) occurred during the hours of darkness.
• 3 of the fatal traffic crashes (or 15 %) were known to be alcohol-related; 11 (or 55 %) remain listed as pending; with 6 (or 30 %) presently classified as not alcohol related.
• Of the 23 deaths, 4 (or 17%) were pedestrians; 6 (or 26%) were motorcyclists; and 1 (or 4%) involved a golf cart.
• 73 % of those killed in vehicles normally equipped with safety belts were not wearing their belts.

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