Florida’s Holiday DUI Crackdown Runs Through Jan. 1

A graphic for National Impaired Driving Prevention Month featuring three colored circles: a gray car, a red bottle and wine glass, and a yellow ribbon.

The holidays are supposed to be full of happiness and celebration. But every year, Jacksonville roads see an uptick in alcohol-related crashes as more people head to parties and travel to visit family. Unfortunately, some people make the reckless decision to drive after drinking. Florida law enforcement knows the pattern, and they're not taking chances this year. The state's "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign is running full force through New Year's Day.

This year, the crackdown officially kicked off around mid-December and runs through January 1st. The Florida Highway Patrol, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, and local police departments ramp up patrols, set up sobriety checkpoints, and pull over anyone showing signs of impaired driving. However, law enforcement can't be everywhere all the time. There will likely still be drunk drivers on the road this holiday season.

Why are the holidays so dangerous for drunk driving crashes?

December is one of the deadliest months on American roads. According to national data, more than 1,000 people die in alcohol-impaired crashes during December alone in some recent years. There are a few reasons the holiday season is particularly risky, including:

More parties and social gatherings with alcohol flowing freely
Out-of-town visitors unfamiliar with local roads and driving conditions
Late-night driving after holiday events
Fatigue combined with alcohol, which makes impairment even worse
People mixing alcohol with prescription medications or other drugs

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, nationally, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash every 42 seconds. In 2023, that amounted to 12,429 alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

Buzzed driving is drunk driving

There is no such thing as safe buzzed driving, even for motorists with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below .08. According to NHTSA data, in 2023 alone, there were 2,117 fatal crashes where the driver had a BAC between just 0.01 and 0.07 g/dL. That's well below the legal limit. Additionally, buzzed driving puts motorists at risk of falling asleep at the wheel, especially late at night.

Here is how each BAC level typically affects driving ability:

.02 g/dL: Mild relaxation and slight judgment loss can lead to reduced visual tracking and difficulty multitasking behind the wheel.
.05 g/dL: Impaired judgment and small-muscle control make it harder to track moving objects, steer, and respond quickly in emergencies.
.08 g/dL: Poor coordination, slowed reaction time, and impaired perception affect concentration, speed control, and the ability to process information.
.10 g/dL: Slurred speech, slowed thinking, and reduced control translate into trouble staying in the lane and braking safely.
.15 g/dL: Severe loss of muscle control and balance causes major impairment in vehicle control and processing visual or auditory cues.

How can drunk driving crashes be prevented this holiday season?

Preventing drunk driving crashes during the holiday season starts with planning, awareness, and looking out for one another. This time of year brings more celebrations, more travel, and, unfortunately, more impaired drivers on the road. Taking a few simple steps can make a huge difference in keeping yourself and others safe.

Here are practical ways to reduce the risk of holiday drunk driving crashes, such as:

Plan a sober ride before the night begins: Set up a designated driver, rideshare, taxi, or safe pickup plan in advance.
Don’t trust "I feel fine": Even a small amount of alcohol can slow reaction time and affect judgment.
Give your keys to someone you trust: Removing the option to drive prevents dangerous last-minute decisions.
Let someone stay over if needed: Offering a couch or guest room can prevent an impaired friend from getting behind the wheel.
Offer non-alcoholic options: Hosts can offer plenty of non-alcoholic options. Water, soda, and alcohol-free drinks help guests pace themselves.
Find a stopping point: Stop serving alcohol well before the gathering ends. Switching to food, coffee, or dessert winds things down safely.
Help arrange rides for guests: Have rideshare apps ready or know which taxi companies operate late.
Intervene where necessary: Speak up when someone tries to drive drunk. A moment of honesty can save a life.
Watch out for drunk drivers: If someone else on the road appears to be driving drunk or erratically, stay away from them and contact law enforcement.

What should I do if I'm in a crash with a suspected drunk driver?

If you're involved in a crash and you suspect the other driver is impaired, here's what to do:

Call 911 immediately and tell the dispatcher if you notice any signs of impairment (smell of alcohol, slurred speech, stumbling, confusion).
Get medical attention even if you feel fine. Some injuries don't show symptoms right away.
Take photos of the scene, your vehicle damage, and anything else that seems relevant.
Gather witness names and contact information if anyone saw what happened.
Never give a recorded statement to any insurance company before talking to an attorney.

Once you've taken care of immediate safety and medical needs, reach out to Pajcic & Pajcic. Our car accident lawyers can help you navigate the insurance process, gather evidence from the police investigation (including BAC results and arrest records), and build a strong case for the compensation you deserve.

Talk to a Jacksonville law firm that knows how to hold drunk drivers accountable

If a drunk driver turned your holiday season upside down, you have the right to hold them accountable and seek compensation for your damages. The attorneys at Pajcic & Pajcic have decades of experience helping crash victims and their families seek justice in Florida and across the United States.

We have a proven track record of maximizing compensation for drunk driving accident victims, including:

A $3 million verdict and $3 million in punitive damages to the wife of a victim of a fatal crash.
$5 million without punitive damages to a victim who suffered multiple bone fractures.
$3.5 million to a family injured by a motorist who drove drunk after a holiday party.

To see how we can help you, give us a call or contact us online for a free case evaluation. With a dedicated legal team in your corner, you can focus on healing while we focus on fighting for the maximum compensation you may deserve.

"My wife and I retained Seth Pajcic's services after our family, including our two-year-old son, was hit by an uninsured drunk driver on Father's Day 2010. From our first meeting, which was held the morning after we called their office, he put our minds at ease that he would guide us through a very complicated process between the criminal and civil cases. Seth saw our case through to ensure that we received fair compensation for our injuries from our insurance company's uninsured motorist coverage. We are forever grateful to him for helping us through a very trying time in our lives." - Eric P., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐