Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

You may want to slow it down the roadways. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) recently announced it is kicking off a new safety campaign to bust aggressive drivers as authorities work to help reduce the risks of car accidents in Naples and elsewhere.

Troopers with the FHP will be combing roadways throughout the state for drivers who tailgate, who change lanes unsafely and for those who speed, according to The News-Press. To help to spread the message of this campaign, the FHP is putting up billboards and running public service announcements (PSA) on the radio. That's not all though. They will also be conducting events at community centers and at local schools to help to educate drivers about the risks associated with aggressive driving.

Driving can be irritating sometimes. Even our Naples car accident attorneys can get frustrated behind the wheel. With rush hours, accidents and seasonal traffic, the roadway can be stressful. Luckily, there are ways you can reduce your tendencies to become aggressive behind the wheel.

According to the FHP, nearly 90 percent of accidents are the fault of drivers, as opposed to inclement weather or some other factor. With the new aggressive driving campaign, troopers are hoping to reduce the risk of fatalities and injuries.

The campaign will be taking place from February 27th through 29th.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is "the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property." Aggressive driving is a traffic offense. Road rage is a criminal offense.

Officials predict that about 7,000,000 accidents happen in the U.S. every year. A good number of these accidents are believed to be caused by an aggressive driver. According to the American Automobile Association, nearly 15,000 people have been either injured or killed since 1990 in accidents caused aggressive drivers.

In some cases, the behavior many drivers condemn is what they end up doing themselves. According to the AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Culture Index, nearly 80 percent of drivers said that aggressive driving is a serious traffic safety problem. Still, most of these drivers reported habits behind the wheel that were defined as aggressive.

About half of all surveyed drivers admitted to exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph in the last month. Nearly 60 percent admitted to speeding through yellow lights, more than 40 percent admitting to honking their horn at other drivers, more than 35 percent to pressuring other drivers to speed up, more than 20 percent to tailgating and nearly 10 percent to knowingly running red lights.

Continue reading " Naples Car Accidents to be Reduced by FHP's Anti-Aggressive Driving Campaign " »

A recent motorcycle accident in Volusia County took the life of a 50-year-old Fort Myers woman, Sabra Vocaturo. She was killed when she was hit from behind by an SUV late Sunday on State Road 415, according to WESH.

Accident reports indicate that debris found at the scene of the accident revealed that the SUV that hit the Fort Myers woman was a 2011 or a 2012 Infiniti QX56 SUV. The vehicle is now missing its lower left part of the bumper cover. Officials believe that the headlight on the left side of the car may also be damaged. If you have any information regarding this hit-and-run Florida motorcycle accident, please contact the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) at 407-737-2213.

From 1993 to 1997, there were 278,078 drivers who were involved in fatal accidents in the United States, according to Unlicensed to Kill. Of these fatal accidents, 1,501 drivers left the scene of the accident and left their vehicle at the scene. Of the drivers involved in these fatal accidents, about 38,000 drivers were not properly licensed. Of those who were not properly licensed, about 15 percent of them fled the scene. There are a number of reasons as to why drivers leave the scene of an accident, including not being properly licensed, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, having immigration issues, for not being properly insured.

Daytona Beach Bike Week is quickly approaching and our Florida motorcycle accident attorneys would like to remind motorists that with this event thousands of bikers from across the country will be traveling through Florida. This year marks the 71st anniversary of the “World’s Largest Motorcycle Event” which will be held from March 9th through March 18th. Harley-Davidson Insurance is presenting this year's event.

Activities going on at this year's Bike Week include motorcycle stunt shows, vendors, food, bike safety events and manufacturer displays. Riverfront Park will also be displaying performances from live bands and will again host the Official Bike Week Headquarters. There will also be a Bike Week Treasure Hunt, a Bike Week Community Appreciation Parade and a Harley Davidson Custom & Classic Motorcycle Ride-In Show Presented by America Iron Magazine.

Yes, motorcyclists will be out in force on our roadways during the Daytona Beach Bike Week, but this event is used to help raise awareness about the motorcycle traffic we see on our roadways year round. Florida has some of the most beautiful weather in the country and it attracts riders from across the nation year round.

For these reasons, it's no surprise that Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the nation for motorcycle accidents. As a matter of fact, Florida ranked second as the deadliest state in the country for these accidents in 2009, only behind the state of Texas, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

We ask all travelers in the state, including truckers, car drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists, to share the roadways with one another safely and effectively. We have great weather year round and we should be able to enjoy the benefits without worrying about death and injury from irresponsible drivers on our roadways. Work together for safer travel.

Continue reading " Fort Myers Motorcyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident with SUV " »

More and more, people are dying in pedestrian accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere.

Recently, a 62-year-old man was killed in south Fort Myers. His death is the fifth pedestrian death in Collier and Lee counties in the month of February, according to The News-Press.

The most recent accident happened at the intersection of Jamaica Bay Boulevard and U.S. 41. According to the paper, the pedestrian was struck by an oncoming car. Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) were called to the accident at around 1 p.m. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys know that residents and visitors enjoy being outside in the beautiful Florida weather. We would ask, however, that you do so safely. Walking and biking are both excellent ways to stay in shape and help with the environment, but it's no good if we all can't work together to make our roadways safer for everyone. Florida remains the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrian accidents. We can preserve the safety of the state by making a vow to be on the lookout for our vulnerable travelers. Florida is a family, and we need to lookout for one another.

The recent accident that took the life of the 62-year-old man was the latest in a trend of fatal pedestrian accidents in the area. Earlier this month, a man in Naples was killed while walking along Golden Gate Estates. There was also an 87-year-old was struck by a sports car in Fort Myers, a 44-year-old was hit after a two-vehicle accident in the Cape and a student from Estero High School died after he was hit by a car while trying to cross U.S. 41. Believe it or not, those accidents are only the accidents that happened in the first part of February.

A founding member of street safety coalition BikeWalkLee, Dan Moser, says that what this areas needs is stricter penalties for people who hit and kill others walking near the roadway. Unfortunately, drivers seldom face serious charges in the event of a pedestrian-car accident unless they're driving on a suspended license or were drunk at the time of the crash.

Consider the investigation of the death of a woman who was killed after a motorists swerved near here on the Sanibel Causeway. The swerving truck knocked her off her bike and over the edge of the bridge into the San Carlos Bay below. Eight months later, it hasn't been determined if charges are going to filed, and the investigation is still going on.

According to Deputy Vernon Tyus with the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the increase in traffic with snowbirds has probably been at least one factor in the alarming number of pedestrian fatalities. He said tourist drivers are more likely to drive while distracted because they're less familiar with the area.

Regardless of which drivers are at fault, the fact remains that all drivers need to be more cautious and alert behind the wheel. The south Fort Myers area is an appealing area for pedestrians. Motorists are asked to be careful and to treat these travelers with some respect. They have rights on our roadways, too!

Continue reading " Pedestrian Accidents in Lee and Collier County Up in February " »

Despite the overwhelming evidence proving that texting while driving is dangerous, these types of distraction-related car accidents in Fort Myers continue to be a serious problem. The Florida Legislature, with Republican super-majorities in each chamber, has continued to shoot down anti-texting laws one after another. Currently, there are 35 states that prohibit drivers from texting while driving. Florida is not one of them. The state's lawmakers often turn down these safety bills because they say that it equates to government intrusion in citizens' lives. That could all soon change.

Senate bill 416 is making its way through committees. So far, there have only been two votes against it. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota. The House version, House Bill 299, hasn't gone anywhere, according to The News-Press.

Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys have been there: Driving in the car, aggravated with a swerving driver who is doing nothing more than looking at his cell phone. It's a common sight on roadways throughout the state. Yes, the state of Florida has a reckless driving law, which in some cases can be applied to texting drivers. But that kind of law doesn't carry enough muscle to get drivers off of their phone, with their attention back on the road.

"There are already laws on the books that make it illegal to drive unsafely," said Jim Harper, director of information policy studies for the libertarian Cato Institute.

Legislators say they're not against roadway safety, but they are against an intrusive government. According to Harper, it would be like making laws for every silly little thing drivers do. He adds that after the invention of vehicle cup holders, there was increase in the number of traffic accidents. Still, lawmakers didn't run out and outlaw cup holders.

A spokesman for Gov. Rick Scott said he has not yet taken a position on the issue, though Scott typically pushes for minimal government regulations.

Back in 2010, Scott told AAA that distracted driving of all kinds needs to be discouraged. He pledged to work alongside lawmakers to make policies that address distracted driving. Scott's wife was once hit by a driver who was texting at the wheel.

Under the bills, texting while driving would be a secondary offense, meaning that an officer can't cite you for it unless you are violating another traffic law, such as speeding or weaving.

Drivers who are busted would have to shell out $30 for a first violation and $60 for a second. If a texting driver causes an accident, he or she can get 6 points on his or her license. Twelve points on your license in a year results in a 30-day license suspension.

In the first 10 months of last year, there were roughly 171,540 car accidents reported in the state of Florida. About 150 drivers in those accidents, accounting for less than 1 percent, were allegedly texting while driving.

Continue reading " Anti-Texting Laws around the Corner to Decrease Risks of Car Accidents in Florida " »

Nearly 200 local students showed up with their bicycles in Cape Coral to practice safe biking techniques and to have their bike examined by a certified inspector. They were some of the future Lance Armstrongs, the bike riders of Oasis Elementary School and Christa McAuliffe, Cape Coral's charter elementary schools.

Each student was able to learn beneficial skills to help them to avoid bicycling accidents in Cape Coral. The event was the Elementary School's very first Bicycle Safety Rodeo, according to The News-Press.

Our Cape Coral bicycle attorneys encourage not only teachers, but moms and dads to teach their children safe biking habits. This can serve them for a lifetime. Children tend to grab hold of the habits they learn at an early age. Let's get our little ones on the road to safety!

At the recent Bicycle Safety Rodeo, young students were invited to enjoy some fun in the sun, get some good exercise and learn how to ride a bicycle properly and safely. Organizers of the Rodeo hope this will be the start of a yearly event.

"There are a lot of kids on the road nowadays and not all of them know the rules of the road," said Tim Wilson, a volunteer for the program. "This event can probably save a future accident (from happening)."

Inspectors from the Hollywood Bicycle Center where on hand to inspect children's bicycles to make sure that they're safe to be on our roadways. Handlebars were tightened and brakes were adjusted to ensure each student was comfortable on their bicycle.

After having their bikes adjusted, the students were invited to test their biking skills on an obstacle course. Cycling kids were able to weave in and out of bright orange cones and played "rock dodge." Rock dodge is an exercise to help get the children to stay cautious of their surroundings and keep an eye on the roadways. They were taught to swerve out of the way of bumps and cracks in the road. They even got to compete in a "snail race" in which the slowest rider won. This not only taught them speed wasn't everything, and how to ride safely at slow speeds.

Wendy Hearyman, a P.E. teacher at Christa McAuliffe says it's important to teach our children safe habits from the get-go, especially when they live in an area like Southwest Florida with such beautiful weather all year long.

It's estimated that roughly 17 percent of the 51,000 bicyclists injured in the country in 2009 were under the age of 14.

For kids that didn't have a helmet, one was provided to them from the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. Five organizations also donated bicycles for a giveaway. Each student got a raffle ticket and was entered for a chance to win a new, shiny bicycle.

Continue reading " Bicycle Safety Rodeo Helping to Educate Children to Reduce Risks of Bicycle Accidents in Cape Coral " »

Over the last decade, more than 170 police officers in the U.S. lost their lives in the line of duty when they were struck by a vehicle while responding to an emergency.

Thousands more officers suffered a serious injury in similar scenarios.

This summer will mark 10 years since the "Move Over" law took effect in Florida as part of an effort to reduce first responder injuries resulting from car accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere in the state.

One of those here locally was Deputy Margena Silvia Nunez, who was killed in 2006 in Lehigh Acres while directing traffic at the scene of a fatal accident. She was struck and killed by a drunk driver.

Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys applaud the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety. We should be doing everything we can to ensure their safety is also protected.

Now, officials from the Florida Highway Patrol are teaming with two other states to raise awareness and enhance safety of emergency workers.

For the month of February, law enforcement in Florida, Alabama and Georgia will be on the lookout for drivers who fail to move over for emergency crews along interstates and highways. Violators will be ticketed, and warned of the real and dangerous consequences that can result from failing to follow the law.

The Move Over law basically says this: Whenever a driver on a two-lane road sees an authorized emergency vehicle to their right with flashing red and blue lights, the driver should move over and/or slow down to give the police and medical crews enough space to safely do their job.

If it's not possible to move to the next lane, the driver must slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit, unless a police officer directing traffic indicates otherwise.

This law has been adopted by most states in the country, with some, such as New York, even extending those protections to construction crews and tow truck drivers. The only areas that don't have a Move Over law, as of yet, are Hawaii and Washington D.C.

Those who violate the law face a citation, points on their license and probably fines.
Col. David Brierton with the Florida Highway Patrol, said drivers put emergency workers at serious risk when they drive too close and too fast.

In addition to the high death and injury toll that can result from these crashes, highway patrol officials report there were nearly 1,800 law enforcement vehicles struck by motorists who were driving too close. These crashes resulted in five deaths and nearly 420 injuries.

Each was preventable.

While the media has reported extensively about the law over the last several years, the state has also committed thousands of dollars over the last 10 years to making the public aware, through everything from billboards and television commercials to internet campaigns and even information printed on gas pump stickers. There is practically no way a motorist in Florida could be in the dark about the law and its consequences.

Continue reading " Move Over Law Marked by Increased Patrols to Reduce Fort Myers Car Accidents " »

Tougher DUI laws may be on the horizon in Florida, as U.S. lawmakers decide whether to enact a bill aiming to curb drunk driving accidents in Fort Myers and throughout the country.

The proposed bill would offer money to cash-strapped states if they agreed to adopt an ignition interlock program for first-time DUI offenders.

The new law would set aside $500 million for highway safety initiatives across the country, with about $25 million of that going to state governments that make it a priority to remove drunk drivers from their roads.

Florida already has an ignition interlock program, though it is more often utilized for repeat DUI offenders. It works like this: A person who has been convicted of a DUI can apply for a restricted driver's license. In order to obtain that license, the state would require that they install one of these devices, which works much like those used by law enforcement, and measures the blood alcohol content in the driver's breath before the car can be started.

Although critics - namely those with the American Beverage Institute - argue that the bill would cost states more to implement than it would be worth, we would point out that it is the drunk drivers who pay to have the devices installed. Also, what kind of price would you put on the life of your loved one?

Our Fort Myers drunk driving accident attorneys have been long-time supporters of local initiatives that take aim at drivers who drink, including sponsorship of the Mobile Eyes campaign through the Lee County Sheriff's Office. This is the program in which anyone who calls 911 to report a drunk driver and mentions the Mobile Eyes campaign will receive a $50 reward if that driver is pulled over and arrested for a DUI.

The local sheriff's office has held many sobriety checkpoints in recent years. In 2010, the sheriff's office reported 1,096 arrests for driving under the influence. That is an astonishingly increase of 32 percent since 1999, when there were 741 arrests.

This points not only to the increase of drunk drivers on our roads, but also the increased enforcement efforts. But think of how much more our law enforcement officials could accomplish if they didn't have to spend so much of their time busting drunk drivers? This new bill would stop potentially impaired drivers before they could even get on the road. And it will save lives.

Some may see such a measure as a harsh penalty for someone convicted of just one DUI offense. If the only person affected by drunk driving was the person behind the wheel, we maybe could understand that point of view. But drunk drivers put everyone at great risk of serious injury or death. Also consider that, according to MADD researchers, drunk drivers have usually driven drunk about 80 times before they are ever arrested.

And it only takes one short trip for a drunk driver to ruin or take an innocent life.

Continue reading " Bill Could Stiffen DUI Penalties, Reduce Fort Myers Drunk Driving Accidents " »

An 87-year-old woman was killed recently in a south Fort Myers pedestrian accident as she walked across San Carlos Boulevard.

According to various reports by television and newspaper media, the crash happened around 7:30 p.m., just as it was beginning to get dark.

The elderly victim was reportedly struck by an Ohio woman in her 50s who was driving a Corvette.

Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol are continuing to investigate this tragedy, and it's not clear yet if speed or alcohol was a factor or whether criminal charges may be filed against the driver.

What our Fort Myers pedestrian accident attorneys do know is this: elderly pedestrians in south Florida face serious risks each time they step out onto the roadway, whether they are in a crosswalk or not.

We believe it is incumbent upon our city officials, traffic engineers and voters to make pedestrian safety a high priority, otherwise we will continue to hear about these fatal accidents.

A recent report released by traffic safety advocacy group Transportation for America ranked south Florida cities among the worst places for elderly pedestrians.

In Lee County, many neighborhoods lack sidewalks or easy access to LeeTran public transportation buses. These factors create a recipe for disaster, especially when you also consider that traveling outside in the blistering Florida sun poses additional risks for older pedestrians.

This means that often they risk getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, which can be just as dangerous for someone with diminished sight and hearing.

This is going to continue to be a greater problem as the baby boomers age. Census figures estimate that within the next 10 years, senior citizens will make up about 20 percent of the people living in Florida.

According to the federal department of transportation, a pedestrian's risk of death increases the older they are. This is in part due to the fact that the older a person is, the less resilient their body will be after sustaining serious injury. While the elderly right now make up about 10 percent of our total population, they account for nearly a quarter of all pedestrian fatalities.

And it often doesn't matter if the senior is in a crosswalk.

Studies dating back to the late 1990s show that many Florida intersections don't allow enough time for an older person to cross a road. A traffic light suddenly changes green, and the older person is caught trying to hurry out of the intersection.

Our local governments need to be proactive in campaigns for pedestrian safety that are geared specifically toward areas where there may be a high concentration of senior citizens, such as health care clinics and hospitals, libraries, retirement communities and churches.

In the meantime, here are some tips from walkinfo.org that ALL pedestrians might find useful:

--Be predictable. Don't walk along highways or other zones that are restricted, and try to use sidewalks where they are provided.

--If there is no sidewalk, it's safer to walk facing traffic.

--Help drivers see you. Dress in light, reflective clothing and if it's dark, carry a flashlight.

--Walk defensively. Be aware of drivers, particularly when crossing an intersection. Give yourself plenty of time, and make eye contact with motor vehicle drivers so you're sure they see you.

-Be extra careful if you're crossing a street that has a higher speed limit.

Continue reading " Elderly at Higher Risk for South Fort Myers Pedestrian Accidents " »

The Journal of Adolescent Health released two new studies that illustrate again why teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in a car accident in Naples and elsewhere when other teens are present in the vehicle. According to Medical Press, a number of things are affected when teenage drivers have their friends in the vehicle, including the perception of risk on the roadway. The study concluded that parental oversight may be the most effective method to help reduce these risks.

The study found that teenage drivers are more aware of the risks they face behind the wheel when their parents are involved in their driving skills. When parents enact driving rules, teenagers are less likely to engage in risky driving behavior. When teenage passengers are in the vehicle with these young drivers, their perceptions of risks fade and they often engage in aggressive or illegal driving behaviors. The study was led by exerts at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention.

Our Naples car accident lawyers understand that teenagers are at higher risks for accidents than any other age group of drivers. Teens are four times more likely to be involved in an accident. Within the first study, researchers looked into the risks that teens took behind the wheel with and without parental monitoring. The study examined nearly 200 teens. It was concluded that teenage drivers who lacked parent involvement often engaged in more dangerous driving habits.

The second study looked at reports from more than 675 teenage drivers who were involved in serious accidents. This study revealed that in many of these accidents, drivers were distracted by other teen passengers. It also showed teens were more likely to perform illegal maneuvers or drive aggressively when another teen was in the vehicle. Teenage drivers were acting out more dangerous driving moves when teens were present in the car than when no one was in the vehicle.

"Distraction from peer passengers appears to play a prominent role for both male and female drivers," said Allison E. Curry, Ph.D., MPH, the lead author on this study.

It was concluded that boys were affected by passengers differently. When male teen drivers had other young passengers in the vehicle, they were more likely to drive aggressively and speed. When female teen drivers had other young passengers in the vehicle, they were more likely to look at the other passengers, to eat, make phone calls and text. Regardless, both were prone to be subject to serious accidents.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration, the state of Florida is one of the only states that doesn't regulate the number of passengers allowed in a vehicle with a driver before they get their full, unrestricted license. Through a comprehensive graduated driver's licensing (GDL) programs, teenage drivers are often limited on the number of young passengers they can have in the vehicle at once. Because Florida lacks one of these safe-driving laws, parents are asked to stay involved in their teen's learning process. Enforce safe driving rules within the household to help reduce their risks of an accident.

Continue reading " Passengers Increasing Risks for Teen Car Accidents in Naples, Nation " »

According to the Associated Press, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the recent chain-reaction collision that happened on I-75, just outside of Gainesville. This accident killed 10 people and sent 18 others to the hospital. The NTSB is contemplating whether it will formally join the investigation.

The accident happened because drivers said they couldn't see due to thick smoke that was drifting from a nearby brush fire. Fog and smoke are not limited to North Florida - they can be found throughout the state, particularly during the dry brush fire season. Car accidents in Sebring and elsewhere can result from these dangerous conditions, especially when a 62-acre brush fire is nearby.

Our Sebring car accident lawyers understand that the recent I-75 accidents happened in both the north and the southbound lanes. About 12 cars and six tractor-trailers were involved in the mess. Some vehicles caught fire. Right now, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is conducting the investigation. Earlier in the day, the roadways were closed because of poor visibility. Officers later opened them, and then the second string of accidents happened.

The accidents happened at about 3:45 a.m. The heavy smoke along the roadway made it tough for even for emergency responders, who were arriving to assist victims.

The decision that the FHP made to reopen the highway after the first closure from smoke is being investigated. That investigation has been ordered by Governor Rick Scott.

"We came to the conclusion that the road was safe to travel and that is when we opened the road up," Highway patrol spokesperson Lt. Patrick Riordan

The recent car accidents near Gainesville don't mark the first time something like this has happened. Just four years ago, another serious accident was blamed on smoke and heavy fog. That accident killed four people and injured another 40 on I-4, in between Orlando and Tampa.

The State of Florida reports that your best bet is to just avoid fog and smoke along busy roadways like I-75. If you have to drive through it, the state warns that you should turn on your low-beam lights. High-beam lights only hinder your ability to see by reflecting your car's headlight off of the fog or smoke and back into your eyes. When you're driving through areas covered with dense smoke and fog, you want to slow it down. In these scenarios, you should always be ready to stop quickly. If you're driving through fog, use your windshield wipers.

If the smoke or the fog has gotten so thick that you're unable to see well enough to continue driving, pull over off of the roadway and turn on your emergency flashers. Make sure your car is completely off of the roadway.

Continue reading " Car Accidents in Sebring and Elsewhere Likely on Roadways with Heavy Fog and Smoke " »

Experts predict that nearly 150 million people will be sitting down in front of a TV set to watch the Super Bowl this weekend. The unofficial national holiday, Super Bowl Sunday, is a time to gather with other football fans and enjoy some good old American entertainment.

With the Super Bowl come a cornucopia of junk food - and alcohol. It is estimated that roughly 325 million gallons of beer will be consumed on the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday. With all of the football parties, local officials are expecting a surge in drunk driving car accidents in Fort Myers.

Our Fort Myers drunk driving car accident lawyers understand that Super Bowl Sunday falls just behind New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July for sheer number of DUI arrests. Whether you're cheering for the New York Giants or the New England Patriots, it's important that you celebrate with a plan. Be sure to arrange sober rides home for you, your friends and your family members to help avoid a car accident or a drunk driving arrest. The kickoff time of the big game is 6:30 p.m. Make sure to have all of your event details sorted out by then.

Experts at the University of Minnesota recently completed the most definitive study on watching sports and drinking alcohol, and the results are out just before the big game. The study concluded that nearly 10 percent of sports fans have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08.

If you're going to a friend's house or to a local sport's pub for the big game, be sure that you have a safe and sober ride home. Consider going through the following tips before starting your Super Bowl party.

Big Tips for the Big Game:

-Be sure to designate a sober driver before the party even starts. It's best to leave your car keys at home if you're going to be drinking.

-Pace yourself. You don't want to drink too much too fast. Be sure that you eat enough food, that you take a break from drinking and that you alternate the alcoholic and the non-alcoholic beverages.

-Before you leave your house, put the phone numbers to local taxis in your phone just in case.

-Always wear your seat belt. A seat belt is your best defense against injury or death in the event of a car accident.

Remember to recognize your Designated Driver when you're out Partying:

-Offer to be the designated driver the next time your group goes out drinking.

-Offer gas money or to pay for parking.

-Make sure that your designated driver's non-alcoholic beverage is always full.

-Cover their tab. Wings and non-alcoholic drinks aren't the much in comparison to the cost of a life.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 200,000 football fans pledged to be designated driver this year. Enjoy your friends, enjoy the game and enjoy your weekend of football, but enjoy it safely.

Continue reading " Fort Myers Anticipates Drunk Drivers During Super Bowl Weekend " »