March historically known for spike in DUIs, transportation officials say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Historically, the month of March has a higher propensity for DUIs in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Statistically, Duval County and five other Florida counties account for 37% of impaired driving crashes in the state.

Six Florida counties including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Lee, Orange, Manatee and Duval accounted for 299 of the state’s 791 impaired driving crashes in March 2022, making 37% of the overall crash rate.

Of that number, Duval County reported 58 crashes.

In the first three days of the month, there were five DUI arrests in St. Johns County, according to an inmate search system. One of the five arrested was charged was also charged with vehicular manslaughter.

Nine DUI arrests were made in Jacksonville in the first two days, according to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office data.

St. Johns County was recognized as one of the highest in the state for impaired driving-related crashes or fatalities.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office DUI Unit was formed in 2021. Corporal Alex Ellis is part of that unit and told News4JAX that the unit has seen a decrease in DUI crashes by increasing traffic enforcement.

“If we prevent crashes from occurring by traffic stops and removing those impaired drivers, we will do that,” Ellis said. “We do see March, especially here in the Northeast Florida area, as one of our highest most dangerous months,” Corporal Alex Ellis said.

According to FLSHMV 2022 data, 5,746 impaired driving crashes, influenced by drugs, alcohol, or both, nearly 10% happened in March.

FLSHMV data also shows DUI and open container violations are at the highest during March.

“I would say we’re seeing a dramatic rise in marijuana-impaired driving, and we’re seeing what we call the dramatic rise in polydrug use. You’re drinking alcohol and using marijuana or marijuana and a painkiller, things like that as well,” Ellis said.

FLSHMV also said marijuana is the most prevalent drug in teens and young adults involved in crashes in Florida.


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