According to the latest statistics, Hillsborough County leads the state in DUI convictions and for many who live in South Florida, there is a great deal of concern over the growing number of DUI fatalities in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.
While any DUI conviction can have serious penalties, multiple DUIs can lead to life-changing consequences and that’s why the states leading attorneys are working to help drivers fight a growing number of questionable DUI citations.
A Quick Look at Hillsborough DUI Statistics
According to a story on the Fox 13 News website, Hillsborough County leads the state in injuries and fatalities as the result of driving under the influence. As a result, the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office has set up a task force to work towards reducing the number of drivers who get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
The article explains that 1,631 people were arrested for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 2018, and 2019 is on course to break that record if the task force isn’t able to keep drunk drivers off the roads.
Is It the Sunshine State or the Party State?
Although it is not high season in South Florida, there are still huge numbers of visitors headed to the Sunshine State. For altogether too long Florida has been known as the Party State and this is the reason why there are so many accidents resulting from driving under the influence.
The News Appears to Be Good – Let’s Keep It That Way South Florida!
While there is still a great deal of concern that South Florida will soon be competing with Hillsborough County, the news is actually good. Last year the number of DUI citations was actually down 65% in Miami-Dade and if this trend continues, there is no fear that the three counties of South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) will have as many arrests as Hillsborough. Even so, sheriff offices in those counties should look at what Hillsborough is doing to continue a reduction in DUIs.
Some people are saying that the reason South Florida is not seeing the same statistics as coming out of Hillsborough would be due to the respective police forces are not cracking down with the same dedication as seen in the more northern counties.
Whether or not that is the case remains to be seen but the real issue is that the consequences of getting a DUI are severe. Authorities are recommending that communities place a greater effort in education so that the reduction in DUIs can continue. Summer in South Florida is party time, so don’t let a laissez-faire attitude towards drunk driving land you in jail. South Florida beware.
