Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Tourist accidents in Fort Myers often involve guests who are injured on rental equipment, like Jet Skis, or in other tourists activities, such as parasailing.

The parasailing accident in Clearwater earlier this month offers a stark reminder of how quickly such activities can turn dangerous, or even deadly. It is the second serious parasailing accident in South Florida in as many months and the Fort Myers area is not immune; A mother and her 13-year-old daughter were killed in Fort Myers in 2001 when their tow line broke in stormy weather.

Frequently, these operations will have guests sign a waiver. Such waivers do not absolve operators from serious or fatal injuries caused by negligence. Personal watercraft are responsible for a large number of injuries each year. Renting to kids, renting poorly maintained equipment, and failure to provide proper instruction or safety gear are among the most common causes of injury accidents. Speaking to a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer or wrongful death attorney can help protect your rights in the wake of an accident while visiting Southwest Florida.

In the Clearwater parasailing accident, a 27-year-old woman was critically injured when the tether line snapped, sending her crashing onto the beach. Her fiancee landed in the water and had minor injuries. Local police, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have launched an investigation into the company responsible for the ride.

Area lifeguards report a major storm had been moving into the area all afternoon. About 2:30 p.m., winds jumped from 7 mph to 22 mph -- the National Weather Service reports gusts over 34 mph. About 3 p.m., the line towing the victim snapped, causing her to crash into the beach while still tethered to the runaway parachute. She reported slammed into beach umbrellas and was dragged through a volleyball court.

A spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said there are no rules regulating when parasailing companies can take people out on the water. There is also no law on the amount of insurance an operator must carry.

But when greed or negligence leads to a serious or fatal accident, a business can and should be held responsible.

Continue reading " Parasailing and Jet Ski accidents a danger during Fort Myers tourist season " »

While our Fort Myers injury lawyers and Cape Coral accident attorneys are encouraged by the decline in drunk driving accidents reported last year, we share the concern of MADD and other organizations that understand how much work remains to be done.

As we reported recently on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, Fort Myers drunk driving accidents, and drunk driving accidents nationwide, still account for about one-third of all traffic fatalities. Last year, 10,839 motorists were killed in crashes involving alcohol.

"MADD is pleased to see that the new drunk driving fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows drunk driving fatalities have declined," said Mothers Against Drunk Driving President Laura Dean-Mooney. "This decline means that fatalities have been almost cut in half since MADD was founded in 1980."

Still, somewhere in America, someone dies in a drunk driving crash every 45 minutes.

"MADD knows there is still a lot of work to be done," Dean-Mooney said.

In fact, statistics released last month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offer a stark reminder of the challenges that remain: Despite 80 percent of motorists who say drunk driving is a "major threat" to the safety of their family, 17 million motorists admitted to driving drunk in the past year -- or nearly 1 out of 10 drivers on the road.

“Drunk driving is deadly, it’s against the law, and unfortunately, it’s still a problem,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. “With the help of law enforcement around the country, we are going to continue doing all that we can to stop drunk driving and the needless tragedies that result from this reckless behavior.”

The report revealed that about 1 in 5 motorists admitted to drinking within two hours of driving at some point during the past year.

Young males ages 16 to 24 were most at risk: 1 in 4 admitted to either driving drunk or riding in a car with a drunk driver at some point during the last 12 months.

This week's distracted driving summit in Washington, D.C. opened with an announcement of new regulations aimed at reducing accidents involving hazardous material, commercial trucks and bus and train operators, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.

Our Fort Myers semi tractor-trailer accident lawyers and Cape Coral school bus accident attorneys continue to report on the dangers distracted driving pose to motorists. An estimated 6,000 motorists are killed each year and 500,000 are injured in accidents caused by distracted driving. Only drunk driving accidents and speed-related crashes claim more lives.

Still, Florida is one of a dwindling number of states that has not enacted a ban on text messaging while driving. Part of the summit's focus will be on pushing states to comply with the stated wishes of the federal government to see a nationwide text-messaging ban enacted by passage of an anti-texting law in all 50 states.

Additionally, a pilot program in Connecticut and New York, which targeted drivers disobeying cell phone laws, dramatically reduced distracted driving in both cities, according to results of "Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other."

The announcement of new rules will prohibit all truckers from texting while transporting hazardous materials and make it illegal for other drivers of commercial trucks and buses, or those operating trains, to text while driving.

“We are taking action on a number of fronts to address the epidemic of distracted driving in America,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. “With the help of the experts, policymakers, and safety advocates we’ve assembled here, we are going to do everything we can to put an end to distracted driving and save lives.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation is also working with Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) to encourage private sector companies to promote anti distracted-driving policies in the workplace. Thus far, some 1,600 U.S. companies and organizations have adopted such policies, impacting 10.5 million U.S. workers. Another 550 organizations have adopted policies that will take effect within the next year.

“I am thrilled that businesses across the country are making anti-distracted driving policies an integral part of their employee culture,” said Secretary LaHood. “President Obama led by example last year by banning four million federal workers from texting behind the wheel. Employers across America are doing the same to help us set an example and keep our roads safe.”

Our Fort Myers child injury lawyers encourage parents to participate in Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 19 to 25) by talking to your kids about dangers around vehicles and having your booster and safety seats checked on National Seat Check Saturday, Sept. 25.

A list of child safety seat check locations in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and throughout South Florida is available here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that car accidents remain the leading cause of death for young children ages 3 to 14. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 1,347 children were killed in car accidents in 2008 and 193,000 were injured. Florida car accidents killed 73 children that year.

In selecting a child safety or booster seat, it is also important to consider the fit of the seat and your vehicle. Child products have the highest incidents of reported defects; poorly designed seats may result in a defective products claim in Southwest Florida. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently rated 72 booster seats, giving 21 of them a "Best Bet" rating and not recommending the purchase of eight others. A complete list of child booster seat ratings is available here.

"For the first time top-rated boosters outnumber ones the Institute doesn't recommend," says Anne McCartt, Institute senior vice president for research. "Now more than ever manufacturers are paying attention to belt fit, and it's showing up in our ratings."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also highlighting other dangers during Child Passenger Safety Week, including the risk of children being left in hot cars, backover injuries, power window injuries, vehicle rollaways and trunk entrapment injuries.

Florida and Texas lead the nation in the number of children killed by heatstroke as a result of being left in a hot car, according to San Francisco State University. So far this year, 45 children have died nationwide, far exceeding the 33 kids who died during all of last year. Fifty children have died in Florida during the last decade as a result of being left in a hot car.

Children and Hot Cars

-Never leave a child alone in a car.
-Teach children that a vehicle is not a play area.
-Do things to remind yourself there is a child in the vehicle.
-Always lock the doors and trunks on unattended vehicles.

You can find additional information on the dangers of children in hot cars here.

In announcing the fewest traffic deaths since 1950, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited drunk driving accidents, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents as areas where continued improvement is needed.

Drunk Driving Accidents
Alcohol is still involved in approximately one-third of all fatal accidents nationwide. Last year, 10,839 drunk driving deaths were reported, compared to the 11,711 deaths in 2008. Florida drunk driving accidents caused 770 traffic fatalities last year, compared to 887 in 2008.

"Drunk driving is a local problem, and the numbers we are releasing today show continued progress but also reveal how much more still needs to be done all over America," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said.

Florida joined 33 states and Puerto Rico with decreases in the number of alcohol deaths, however the remaining states reported an increase.

"We will not be satisfied until innocent, decent, law-abiding people are safe from tragic injuries and loss of their loved ones because someone makes the irresponsible choice to drive while impaired," Strickland said.

We could not agree more. That's why each and every member of our staff remains committed to fighting for the rights of drunk driving accident victims in Fort Myers and throughout South Florida. Whether it's through our work with the Lee County Sheriff's Office and Mobile Eyes, or the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, we remain committed to taking a proactive stand against drunk drivers and the devastation they too often cause.

Motorcycle Accidents

The news was also good when it comes to fatal motorcycle accidents -- a report of 850 fewer motorcycle fatalities led to a 16 percent decline in fatalities, the largest reported decline of any accident category. Still, 4,462 riders died in motorcycle accidents and 90,000 others were injured.

"We are encouraged by the decline in overall motorcycle deaths," Strickland said. "(But) there are still too many riders dying on the road."

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported earlier this summer that fatal Florida motorcycle accidents declined last year to 376, from the 502 reported in 2008. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Cape Coral and Fort Myers have spent decades fighting for the rights of injured riders throughout South Florida.

Pedestrian Accidents

After passenger vehicle and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents were responsible for the most serious and fatal injuries. A total of 4,092 people were killed and 59,000 were injured in pedestrian accidents last year.

"We are increasing our focus on pedestrian safety... and hope our demonstration safety projects will help us continue to push the numbers down in this area," said Strickland.

Florida was second only to California for in the number of fatal pedestrian accidents reported in 2008; state-by-state statistics for last year have not yet been released.

Florida posted the largest decline in the number of fatal car accidents of any state in the nation last year, according to new information just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nationwide, fatal accidents declined to a level not seen since 1950, lead by Florida, which reported 422 fewer fatalities, and Texas, which logged 405 fewer deaths on the road in 2009. In all, 33,808 people were killed in traffic accidents last year, compared to 37,423 in 2008.

Last week we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog that the area ranked 33rd safest in a list of 200 cities. But Fort Myers car accidents and car accidents elsewhere in Florida put the Sunshine State among the nation's most dangerous overall.

Fatal Florida car accidents declined to 2,558 from the 2,980 reported in 2008. However, only California (3,081) and Texas (3,071) recorded more traffic fatalities.

“Today’s announcement shows that America’s roads are the safest they’ve ever been," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "But they must be safer. And we will not rest until they are.”

The number of motorists injured in accidents also declined for the 10th year in a row, from 2.346 million in 2009 to 2.217 million last year.

However, advocates acknowledged there is still much work to be done.

"We are still losing more than 30,000 lives a year on our highways, and about a third of these involve drunk driving," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said. "We will continue to work with our state partners to strictly enforce both seat belt use and anti-drunk driving laws across this nation, every day and every night."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that car accidents remain the leading cause of death for people ages 3 to 34.

Continue reading " Florida leads nation in reduction in fatal car accidents -- remains among three deadliest states in 2009 " »

Drivers in Cape Coral can expect to be involved in an accident about once a decade, according to a listing of safe driving cities published by Allstate Insurance --ranking the city 33rd among 200 cities with a population of over 100,000.

Fort Myers was not large enough to make the list. The insurance giant reported that Cape Coral car accidents were about 8 percent less likely to occur than the national average. We encourage motorists to be prepared; take a moment to read our tips about "What to do in the event of an accident." The aftermath of an accident can be a confusing time. By printing out these tips and putting them in your glove compartment, you will be assured of having the information when you need it.

The safest city in America was Fort Collins, Colorado, where motorists went 14.5 years between crashes. Motorists in Washington, D.C. ranked dead last, with an accident every 5.1 years.

Nationwide, about 34,000 motorists are killed in accidents each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Last year, 2,563 people lost their lives in Florida car accidents, making it the deadliest state in the nation after Texas and California.

"Human error is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Allstate's Mike Roche.

Port St. Lucie was the safest city in Florida with a crash interval of 10.9 years. Hialeah was the most dangerous, with a motorist reporting an accident every 7.2 years on average. Jacksonville was the safest large city, while Miami was the most dangerous.

Other Florida Cities on the list are:

30) Port St. Lucie (8.4 percent less likely to crash than national average)
69) Jacksonville (.8 percent more likely to crash)
80) St. Petersburg (2.6 more likely to crash)
84) Tallahassee (3 percent more likely to crash)
(123) Fort Lauderdale (14 percent more likely to crash)
(145) Orlando (21.4 percent more likely to crash)
(147) Hollywood (23.1 percent more likely to crash)
(154) Tampa (26 percent more likely to crash)
(171) Miami (34.2 percent more likely to crash)
(180) Hialeah (29.3 percent more likely to crash)

Tips for avoiding an accident include:

-Minimize Distractions

-Be aware of road conditions

-Maintain a safe distance between cars

-Avoid road rage or aggressive driving tactics

-Properly maintain your vehicle

A high-tech device being tested by a defense contractor in Massachusetts has the potential to virtually eliminate drunk driving accidents in Fort Myers and throughout the nation.

It is a revolutionary possibility and one that our Fort Myers accident attorneys hope will ultimately bring an end to the senseless tragedies too often caused by drunk drivers.

The Boston Globe reports the technology would test the blood-alcohol level of a driver with the push of a button, and prevent cars from starting if alcohol is detected. If made standard equipment in all new vehicles, the federal government estimates as many as 9,000 of the nation's 11,000 drunk driving deaths could be prevented each year. Only the 15,000 lives saved by seat belts could claim a bigger impact on traffic safety.

A more rudimentary technology is already in use today in the form of ignition interlock devices, which can be required of those convicted of drunk driving. The machines require a breath test before permitting a car to start.

The new technology is being developed with the assistance of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of a $10 million study. The disclosure comes after criticism of the government's recent traffic safety efforts and the revelation that 8 percent of motorists -- or some 17 million Americans -- admitted to driving drunk last year.

As we reported last week on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog the insurance industry has pushed for such technology to be mandated in new automobiles and has criticized the U.S. Department of Transportation for not doing enough to force automakers to comply.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving said drunk driving fatalities have declined by 44 percent in the 30 years of the organization's existence. But the organization is renewing its fight through advocacy for such new technologies, as well as the use of ignition interlock devices, sobriety checkpoints and other enforcement efforts.

“We must continue our work to make American families safe from the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking," said MADD President Laura Dean-Mooney. "Lives are at stake.”

Continue reading " New technology could someday eliminate the threat of drunk driving accidents in Fort Myers and across the country " »

When it comes to auto insurance in Florida, "full coverage" can mean "mandatory minimum" coverage, which can mean "virtually no coverage."

Our personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys in Fort Myers and Cape Coral urge you to take the time to determine exactly what your auto insurance policy covers in the event of a car accident. Too often -- usually, in fact -- the minimum coverage is woefully inadequate. And the increasing popularity of online insurance sites has cut the agent out of the mix and eliminated the often critical advice of an insurance professional.

In other cases, uninsured or underinsured motorist protection is not selected by default on many online insurance quotes. And at least one state -- Massachusetts -- has accused an online insurance provider of including sky-high deductibles and eliminating emergency medical coverage for motorists who indicate they have health insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage will pay for things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of earnings capacity in the event that you suffer a permanent injury as a result of an accident -- whether or not the other driver has insurance. In other words, it covers you. From an insurance perspective, it is critical coverage.

Orlando Now recently reported that even agents often use the term "full coverage" to mean the minimum coverage required by law, which in Florida is just $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to pay for lost wages and medical benefits. Frequently, such coverage will not even pay for the cost of an emergency room visit.

In 2008, WFTV Orlando's Channel 9 reported the cost of a flight in a medical helicopter averaged $10,800. In short, electing the minimum coverage might save you $100-$200 a year and could leave you virtually uninsured in the event of a serious or fatal accident.

Comprehensive and collision coverage is another problem area, though not nearly as significant as PIP. Frequently, the minimum coverage will not come close to replacing a new vehicle. Unless you want to be the proud owner of a totaled Mercedes -- and the $50,000 to $100,000 bill that goes with it -- take the time to determine realistic coverage limits and insure the financial well-being of you and your family.

Lastly, Florida does not require motorists to carry Bodily Injury Insurance. This means you may not be protected in the event that you are injured by a fellow motorist.

Your coverage should include Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Bodily Injury (BI) and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage in amounts significant enough to protect you from financial ruin in the event of a serious accident. That is what insurance is for, after all. And the difference between a $10,000 policy and a $200,000 policy is often little more than a few bucks a month.

A series of drowning or near-drowning incidents involving children remind us that swimming safety is an important topic for discussion. Each of us need to do our part to avoid swimming pool accidents in Fort Myers, Naples and throughout South Florida.

On Sunday, the News-Press reported that a 2-year-old boy drowned in a pond in South Fort Myers. The child apparently slipped out of his house and wandered into the pond about 30 yards away.

Last week, a 15-year-old boy drowned while swimming near the Sanibel Causeway, according to The News-Press.

And earlier this month, the Naples Daily News reported that a 10-year-old boy survived a scary head injury when he dove into 4 feet of water at a condo pool in East Naples.

Florida leads the nation in serious and fatal swimming accidents involving children. Labor Day typically signals the last big swimming weekend up north. But for South Floridians it serves only as a harbinger of the upcoming tourist season and visits by Midwestern relatives. Many of these cases are tragic accidents. Yet accidents can often be prevented. And, if you are a pool owner, or if you are taking responsibility for the supervision of children in some other capacity -- such as a relative or babysitter -- you can be held responsible for the accidental drowning or death of a child -- whether in a swimming pool or on the open water.

In other cases, faulty swimming pool equipment or the lack of gates or fencing can lead to a drowning and a Home Owners Association or condo association can and should be held responsible. The law requires most all swimming pools to have one or more of the following safety features:

-A four-foot barrier fence
-An approved pool cover
-Self-closing and self-locking gates
-Door and window alarms in areas with direct access to the pool

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under 4 (car accidents are the leading cause of death for those ages 4 to 20). And the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 385 pool or spa deaths occur to children under the age of 15 each year. The six deaths in Lee County ranked it the second-most dangerous county in the state. Broward County's eight deaths were the most in Florida.

Swimming Pool Safety Tips from the Lee County Health Department include:

-Ensure that your pool has the required fencing and other safety components as required by law.

-Provide adult supervision at all times while children are swimming.

-Never consider a child to be safe around the water.

-Floaties and other devices are not designed to replace life jackets.

-Keep toys and other trip hazards off the pool deck.

-Remove visual obstructions of the pool and ensure a clear view from the house.

-Do not leave covers on pools during use; children can become entrapped.

Whether you and your loved ones will be fishing, boating, drinking or driving, the Fort Myers accident lawyers at Associates and Bruce L Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly and enjoy the long Labor Day weekend.

Twenty-three motorists were killed in accidents over the Labor Day weekend last year, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In 13 of those cases, drunk driver's were responsible. Please do your part to drive safely and avoid a Fort Myers car accident this weekend.

As we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, local law enforcement will be out in force throughout the Labor Day weekend as part of the state's "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" campaign. Nationwide, law enforcement in all 50 states will be participating. The campaign runs through Labor Day weekend and includes $13 million in public service announcements on television and radio.

“Drunk driving is deadly, it’s against the law, and unfortunately, it’s still a problem,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “With the help of law enforcement around the country, we are going to continue doing all that we can to stop drunk driving and the needless tragedies that result from this reckless behavior.”

Nationwide, someone dies in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During a holiday weekend, motorists are at an even greater risk.

Florida Holiday Traffic Fatalities in 2009:

New Year: 34
Memorial Day: 22
Fourth of July: 30
Labor Day: 23
Thanksgiving: 36
Christmas: 28

The National Safety Council reports approximately 54 motorists will be injured for every fatality victim, meaning more than 1,200 Florida motorists will be seriously injured this weekend.

Boating Safety:

Traditionally, Labor Day is also the last big boating weekend of summer. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that Naples boating accidents made Collier County the sixth-most dangerous area in the state in 2009, with 35 boating accidents reported.

Fort Myers boating accidents ranked Lee County seventh most-dangerous. It also reported 35 accidents last year. Operator inattention, no proper lookout, reckless operation and excessive speed were the top causes.

Many boating accidents are also alcohol related. Last year, 65 people were killed in more than 600 reported boating accidents in Florida.

Continue reading " Fort Myers accident lawyers wish you a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend " »

The federal government has been sidetracked by the issues of distracted driving and vehicle defects and is not doing nearly enough to force automakers to incorporate new safety technologies, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Our Fort Myers car accident lawyers frequently report on steps being taken by the federal government to reduce the dangers associated with text messaging and cell phone use by drivers. Florida is one of the few states in the nation that has not passed a law aimed at reducing the threat. Recently, we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, that the winner of a teen-driver-safety campaign would see their public service announcement played at a nationwide distracted driving summit planned for later this month in Washington, D.C.

Now the IIHS, a respected safety and advocacy organization that is funded by the insurance industry, claims the federal government needs to get its priorities straight. "There's nothing rational about the way we set highway safety priorities," wrote Institute President Adrian Lund in the agency's Status Report. "You'd think from the media coverage, congressional hearings, and the U.S. Department of Transportation's focus in recent months that separating drivers from their phones would all but solve the public-health problem of crash deaths and injuries -- It won't."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports about 34,000 traffic fatalities occur each year in the United States. It reports about 6,000 people are killed and 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted driving.

With car accidents being the number one cause of accidental death in the United States, the Insurance Institute says more emphasis should be placed on pushing the auto industry to adopt available crash-prevention technologies.

Naturally, the U.S. Department of Transportation vigorously rejects the Institute's assessment of its priorities, according to a response published in the target=”_blank”Wall Street Journal.

"Safety is the Department of Transportation's number one priority, which is why we are aggressively and urgently tackling a number of risks to drivers' safety. We are going to continue taking drunk drivers off the road, getting people to put down their phones and other distractions, making sure cars and trucks are safe to drive, and doing whatever else is necessary to keep Americans safe behind the wheel," a DOT spokeswoman said in a statement.

Viewers will likely see a blitz of "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" television commercials this week and next. And motorists will see increased enforcement through the Labor Day weekend as authorities aim to reduce the threat of drunk driving accidents in Fort Myers and the surrounding area.

“Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but also the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant,” said FHP Director, Colonel John Czernis. “Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, time away from work and dozens of other expenses. Do not take the chance. Remember, if you are over the limit, you can expect to be under arrest.”

For four decades, our Fort Myers accident attorneys have built a reputation for providing compassionate and aggressive representation to families dealing with the serious injury or death of a loved one in a drunk driving crash. Through our work with law enforcement at sobriety checkpoints and our support for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Mobile Eyes and other safety efforts, we remain dedicated to fighting for the rights of clients whose lives have been changed by the senseless acts of a driver who has climbed behind the wheel after having too much to drink.

Mobile Eyes is a joint effort that includes MADD, the Lee County Sheriff's Office and Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured. Any 911 caller who reports a drunk driver and acknowledges the Mobile Eyes campaign may be eligible for a $50 reward if the driver is stopped and arrested for DUI.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that one-third of the nation's traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver -- resulting in the death of 11,773 motorists in 2008. Drunk drivers are responsible for 40 percent of fatal Florida car accidents -- accounting for 1,004 of 2,563 fatal accidents in 2009, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" campaign began Aug. 20 and runs through Sept. 6. The effort includes the Labor Day weekend, which starts Sept. 3 and has traditionally capped off the summer travel season. The Florida Highway Patrol will also be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) during the holiday weekend, in conjunction with the state patrol organizations in all 50 states.

The patrol is also reminding motorists to buckle up -- primary seat belt enforcement will permit officers to stop motorists solely for committing a seat belt violation. Drivers also should remain alert for law enforcement along the roadside and must move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights.