The Florida Highway Patrol has released its DUI statistics, following its annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which stretched from Dec. 12 to Jan. 2. Image may be NSFW.
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While we don't have local results yet, our Fort Lauderdale DUI defense attorneys understand that state troopers reportedly made nearly 550 arrests throughout the state for allegations of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
That was among nearly 40,000 traffic citations. Another 13,600 drivers were cited for speeding and another 2,500 for not wearing a seat belt. Additionally, nearly 11,000 crashes were reported during that time with nearly 60 deaths.
Troopers, among other law enforcement officials throughout the state, were ordered to postpone any administrative duties in favor of carrying out saturation road patrols. Numerous local agencies were also involved in back-to-back DUI checkpoints.
Those are just the preliminary results, and the numbers could fluctuate as more data is collected. It's worth noting that these cases represent only the number of arrests - not convictions.
In fact, as those arrested secure the aid of experienced DUI defense lawyers, it's likely charges in a number of these cases will be reduced or dismissed.
When agencies focus on racking up as many arrests as possible for PR stunts like this, the quality of evidence upon which those arrests are based is often substandard.
While we don't have any detailed information about who those arrestees are, we can make an educated prediction, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, that the majority were young, white males. The study, which analyzed data culled by the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, monitoring the behaviors of some 10,200 participating teens, indicates that white adult males were 50 percent more likely than their minority and female counterparts to report a DUI by age 21.
Risk factors that heightened the incidence of arrest included binge drinking, marijuana smoking and driving cars belonging to others without permission. Another common risk factor was relative easy access to alcohol at home.
Additionally, male teens from higher-income families with greater access to vehicles were also at higher risk for DUI arrest than their less affluent counterparts with little or no access to a car.
While most adult drivers' intoxication levels are determined over the limit when they exceed a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, there are stricter regulations in place for someone under the age of 21. Florida has a "Zero Tolerance" policy for underage drivers that holds anyone with a blood alcohol limit of 0.02 percent or higher is considered in violation of the law.
Penalties for an underage DUI in Florida may include jail time, probation, fines, community service, court costs and a suspended driver's license, as well as raised insurance premiums that can last 3 years or longer after a conviction.
Anyone grappling with a DUI incurred over the holidays, if they haven't already, should immediately seek the advice of an experienced defense lawyer.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
While we don't have local results yet, our Fort Lauderdale DUI defense attorneys understand that state troopers reportedly made nearly 550 arrests throughout the state for allegations of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
That was among nearly 40,000 traffic citations. Another 13,600 drivers were cited for speeding and another 2,500 for not wearing a seat belt. Additionally, nearly 11,000 crashes were reported during that time with nearly 60 deaths.
Troopers, among other law enforcement officials throughout the state, were ordered to postpone any administrative duties in favor of carrying out saturation road patrols. Numerous local agencies were also involved in back-to-back DUI checkpoints.
Those are just the preliminary results, and the numbers could fluctuate as more data is collected. It's worth noting that these cases represent only the number of arrests - not convictions.
In fact, as those arrested secure the aid of experienced DUI defense lawyers, it's likely charges in a number of these cases will be reduced or dismissed.
When agencies focus on racking up as many arrests as possible for PR stunts like this, the quality of evidence upon which those arrests are based is often substandard.
While we don't have any detailed information about who those arrestees are, we can make an educated prediction, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, that the majority were young, white males. The study, which analyzed data culled by the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, monitoring the behaviors of some 10,200 participating teens, indicates that white adult males were 50 percent more likely than their minority and female counterparts to report a DUI by age 21.
Risk factors that heightened the incidence of arrest included binge drinking, marijuana smoking and driving cars belonging to others without permission. Another common risk factor was relative easy access to alcohol at home.
Additionally, male teens from higher-income families with greater access to vehicles were also at higher risk for DUI arrest than their less affluent counterparts with little or no access to a car.
While most adult drivers' intoxication levels are determined over the limit when they exceed a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, there are stricter regulations in place for someone under the age of 21. Florida has a "Zero Tolerance" policy for underage drivers that holds anyone with a blood alcohol limit of 0.02 percent or higher is considered in violation of the law.
Penalties for an underage DUI in Florida may include jail time, probation, fines, community service, court costs and a suspended driver's license, as well as raised insurance premiums that can last 3 years or longer after a conviction.
Anyone grappling with a DUI incurred over the holidays, if they haven't already, should immediately seek the advice of an experienced defense lawyer.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
