JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The National Safety Council estimates that approximately 180 people could lose their lives in car crashes nationwide between now and New Year’s Day.
This time of year is among the most dangerous for drivers, with celebrations often leading to a spike in drunk driving incidents.
Judy Cotton, a representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Northeast Florida, shared her concerns about this alarming trend.
“I used to say that I would hold my breath every night for New Year’s Eve and see what the morning brought when it came to New Year’s Eve crashes,” Cotton said. “But now, that seems to be every night. Be on the lookout. Even if you are sober, there are going to be people out there who are not. You’re going to have to be extra cautious and extra defensive and if you see something, say something.”
Related: Farah & Farah’s ‘Safe Ride Home Program’ returns to provide free Uber, taxi rides on New Year’s Eve
MADD has teamed up with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to promote the “Target Zero” initiative, which aims to eliminate transportation-related deaths and serious injuries in the state. According to FDOT, an average of eight people are killed, and 49 are seriously injured, on Florida’s roads daily.
Hampton Ray, a spokesperson for FDOT, emphasized the importance of driver behavior in improving road safety.
“We just want to help people and remind them to make good decisions on the roadway,” Ray said. “Over 90 percent of deaths and injuries occur on a roadway due to driver behavior. So we can prevent and correct dangerous behavior, we’re already seeing safety increase on the roadway.”
For those celebrating the New Year, authorities and advocacy groups stress the importance of planning ahead to avoid driving under the influence.
Programs like Farah and Farah’s Safe Ride Home provide free Uber and taxi ride vouchers, while AAA’s Tow to Go service offers transportation for both impaired individuals and their vehicles within a 10-mile radius.
As the countdown to 2024 begins, law enforcement and advocacy groups remind everyone that safety starts with smart decisions behind the wheel.