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During last year’s Christmas through New Year’s holidays, 97 people lost their lives to negligent behavior on Lee County roads.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is partnering with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Cape Coral Police Department, the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Lee Health Trauma Center to alert the public to the dangers of the 4-Ds: distracted, drunk, drugged, and drowsy.

Lt. Greg Bueno of the FHP said, “Give the gift of safety this holiday season. Never drive drunk, drugged, distracted or drowsy. Celebrate with your families but do so responsibly.”  

The 4-D initiative strives to spread the messages: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different – Drive High Get a DUI. The campaign runs from December 11, 2019, through January 1, 2020. It aims to educate everyone about the dangers and consequences of driving drunk and high. Law enforcement is planning to step up patrols to get impaired drivers off the roads.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says:

Distracted Driving is Dangerous

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Drunk driving is a problem on our nation’s roads every day, but it’s more prevalent during the holidays. During the New Year’s and Christmas periods in 2018, there were 285 drunk-driving-related fatalities in the United States. These deaths are 100 percent preventable. Last year, there were 10,511 people killed nationwide in drunk-driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third of the yearly driving fatalities. The tragedy of these deaths is felt year-round, but for many, most strongly during the holidays. 

If You Feel Different, You Drive Different - Drive High Get a DUI

Like drunk driving, drug-impaired driving is illegal in all 50 states. In 2017, 45 percent of the drivers killed in fatal crashes who were tested for drugs, tested positive. Whether the drug is obtained legally or illegally, drug-impaired driving can be deadly for drivers, passengers, and others on the road. 

Attitudes About Drowsy Driving Need to Change

Fatigue has costly effects on the safety, health, and quality of life of the American public. Whether fatigue is caused by sleep restriction due to a new baby waking every couple of hours, a late or long shift at work, hanging out late with friends, or a long and monotonous drive for the holidays – the negative outcomes can be the same. These include impaired cognition and performance, motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, and health consequences.

“If you or a loved one is injured because of the negligence of another driver, please contact us immediately so we may be of assistance. We are available 24/7, and there are no costs or attorney fees until we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.