Spring Break Safety Questions and Answers

Answers To Common Questions About Spring Break

The Experienced personal injury attorneys at Michael T. Gibson have compiled safety tips to follow to have a fun and safe spring break below this page features the Answers To Common Questions About Spring Break Safety, if you have additional questions or comments about Spring Break Safety please contact our office anytime at 407-422-4529.

What are the Florida laws that can help Spring Breakers party safely this year?

• The legal drinking age in Florida is 21.
• Anyone under the age of 21 in possession of alcohol can be cited for a second-degree misdemeanor, which can lead to costly court fees, fines and other lasting consequences.
• Selling alcohol to anyone under 21 or buying alcohol for anyone under 21 is a misdemeanor.
• Possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle (in motion or stopped) by the driver and or the passenger(s) is a violation of Florida law.
• Plan ahead. Always designate a sober driver before any drinking begins, or take a taxi, Uber or other form of public transportation if you plan to drink alcohol. A taxi or bus ride is much cheaper than a DUI arrest.
• Never let an impaired friend drive, take the keys. Your actions can save lives.

When does Spring Break begin and end in Florida?

For 2016, the Spring Break season unofficially begins March 12 and ends April 4.

How many Florida car crashes were the result of alcohol consumption last Spring Break?

Preliminary data shows that in March of 2015, there were more than 32,000 crashes statewide, at least 400 involved drivers who registered alcohol levels above the legal limit, resulting in 230 injuries and more than 35 fatalities. In Florida last year, more than ten percent of all teen crashes in March involved alcohol. In fact, drivers under 21 accounted for more than 383 crashes involving alcohol in Florida in 2015, resulting in 234 injuries and 30 fatalities.

What steps should I take if I encounter a visibly impaired driver on the road?

• Reduce your speed. This will provide an added cushion between you and the impaired driver, allowing you more reaction time.
• Continue to keep your eyes on the road. Do not become so distracted by the impaired driver that you cause an accident yourself.
• Increase your following distance from other vehicles. If you follow the vehicle in front of you (close, but not too closely), you will be forced to focus on that vehicle to avoid a rear-end collision.
• Check the space cushion all around your vehicle. Make sure you have not compromised your space cushion in your effort to move away from the impaired driver. Make any necessary corrections carefully and signal for all lane changes.
• Resume your scan of the driving scene. Impaired drivers are common in popular vacation spots throughout Florida.
• Take down the impaired driver’s license plate. If you think an impaired driver is in imminent danger of causing a crash, ask a passenger to take down their license plate number, a description of the vehicle and the vehicle’s location. Have your passenger contact law enforcement with this information or pull off the road so you can do so safely yourself.

What age driver is most likely to be involved in a car crash?

Sixteen year-olds are more likely to crash than drivers of any age.

Besides drugs and alcohol, what are some other factors that can cause a driver to be “impaired”?

Although the term “impaired” typically refers to drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it can also include any driver who is exhibiting difficulty with the driving process itself. A driver may be impaired by drowsiness, confusion, distractions inside or outside the vehicle, aggression, talking or texting on the cell phone, and a variety of other factors.

For More Information:

• Spring Breakers: Play Safe! Be Smart! Be Responsible!
• Spring Break Safety – How to Identify an Impaired Driver/
• DHSMV REMINDS MOTORISTS NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE THIS SPRING BREAK

Spring Break is a peak travel time in Florida, which increases the likelihood of accidents on the road. Car accidents and pedestrian accidents often occur during this time as a result of drivers’ unfamiliarity with Florida roadways, traffic patterns and unsafe driving behaviors. At the Law Firm of Michael T. Gibson, P.A., we want you to stay safe when traveling to your Spring Break destination.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, it is important that you contact an experienced Orlando Auto Accident Lawyer immediately. Our experienced team of accident attorneys can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, future medical treatment, loss of wages, pain and suffering, etc. Feel free to fill out our quick contact form on our website to discuss your legal options in greater detail.