JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Drunk driving continues to be a deadly issue nationwide with Northeast Florida being no exception. A recent study ranked Florida second in the country for alcohol-impaired driving deaths, just behind Texas.
In 2022, according to a study by Car Accident Lawyers, Injured in Florida said the South ranks among the deadliest for alcohol-impaired deaths.
It has Florida with 940 alcohol-impaired deaths in 2022 which comes out to a rate of 4.2 per 100,000 residents, only behind Texas in Southern states.
Judy Cotton, a Victim Services Specialist with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said the statistics are not surprising.
“Unfortunately, no, I wish I could say I was shocked,” Cotton said. “Every year when the statistics come out from NHTSA, we’re always dismayed. DUI deaths nationwide have gone up 31%, and to us—and to everyone, really—they should feel that it’s unacceptable.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also reports high numbers in Florida. It says of its more than 2,400 traffic fatalities, 28 percent involved someone with a blood alcohol level of more than .08 percent.
Cottons said NHTSA numbers have shown some improvement in Florida, but it’s not enough.
“The 2023 numbers have come out. They are down a little bit, but they’re not where they need to be,” Cotton explained. “In a perfect world, that number would be zero.”
Cotton believes Florida’s numbers are influenced by its dense population, thriving nightlife, and heavy tourism. She stresses that the solution isn’t complicated.
“There’s no algebra involved,” Cotton said. “If you drink, don’t drive, and then there shouldn’t be that issue.”
She adds that even short trips can turn tragic.
“Most crashes, whether they’re DUI-related or not, happen within two miles of someone’s home,” Cotton said.
When asked what she would say to someone contemplating driving after a few drinks, Cotton’s message was clear: “It’s not that important. You don’t need to go anywhere.”
Drunk driving is a preventable tragedy. MADD continues its mission to educate communities and support victims, urging everyone to make safer choices before getting behind the wheel.