This year could be the deadliest when it comes to drunk driving on our country’s roads, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Bureau.
In 2015, 10,265 people died in alcohol-related crashes.
The NHTSAB said our country is seeing an average of 28 DUI deaths a day.
Officials said that trend is being mirrored in southwest Florida.
With the upcoming New Year’s Eve holiday, law enforcement is urging drivers not to drink before getting behind the wheel.
Jessica Riner lost her husband, Cecil Riner, to a drunk driving accident last December. Her family and friends recently held a memorial in his honor.
“My four kids now have no father, and I lost my husband at 33-years-old because somebody made a foolish decision,” Riner said.
“It only takes one person making a bad choice that could bring a tragedy to someone’s family, and as the Florida Highway Patrol, we see that all too often,” Lt. Greg Bueno said.
He said as we enter tourist season, the problem will only get worse.
“There’s always 16 million licensed drivers in the state of Florida, and when you compound that with our normal visitors and seasonal residents, there's a lot going on out there on the roadway,” Lt. Bueno said.
With New Year’s Eve – a major drinking holiday – just days away, there’s even more cause for concern. FHP, Cape Coral Police, and Fort Myers Police are increasing patrols in areas that see an uptick in drunk driving.
“We’re going to be out there looking for those drivers, being proactive, and of course, we want to stop them before they cause a tragedy,” Lt. Bueno said.
