Pasco County DUI Roadblocks
Latest information from Pasco Sheriff Web site on statistics and upcoming DUI roadblocks
Driving Under the Influence Enforcement
Injuries and deaths resulting from people operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs are one of the most preventable tragedies in our society today.
In Florida alone, 1,169 people were killed in 2008 due to alcohol-related traffic crashes, which was 42 percent of all accidents. Nationwide, more than 11,773 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes in 2008, 31 percent of the total traffic fatalities for the year.
This is unacceptable. Although drinking and driving is a societal problem, law enforcement agencies are often the last line of defense when it comes to preventing the worst from happening. We, however, cannot do it alone. It is not possible to catch every driver under the influence who may be on the road at any given moment. The Florida Legislature has toughened DUI laws over the years, which has helped to reduce the number of first-time and repeat offenders. Cultural awareness of the problem has also helped. Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving have helped to spread the word about lives ended too soon due to someone’s decision to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office works with students in schools to understand the consequences of making bad decisions, including drinking and driving.
The enforcement of DUI laws is, of course, imperative and it is a responsibility that our agency takes very seriously. The deputies in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Patrol, or STEP, are dedicated solely to the enforcement of these laws, and unfortunately, they stay very busy. In 2009, we arrested 912 people for driving under the influence in Pasco County.
I seriously doubt that most adults can claim ignorance about the dangers of drinking and driving. Don’t find out the hard way. At the least, an arrest can cost you up to $8,000 in fines, lawyer fees, towing fees, and the costs associated from lost work hours. At the most, it can cause serious injury or loss of life to you or your loved ones. If you are going to be drinking, DON’T DRIVE. If you might have to drive, DON’T DRINK. If you will be visiting a bar or having some drinks at a restaurant, call a taxi or choose a designated driver who will not drink and will be able to drive everyone home. There is no excuse for driving under the influence. It is our duty to protect everyone on the road. We will be watching.
The Selective Traffic Enforcement Patrol Unit (STEP) uses six deputies supervised by a sergeant to actively enforce traffic laws in Pasco County. STEP focuses efforts on DUI and aggressive driving along with traffic violations that have been shown to be the leading causation of traffic crashes. The STEP Unit also provides additional support to other Operations Command Division units during major events and calls for service.
In 2006, with the addition of a Traffic Statistician, STEP along with the Motor Unit and Patrol Operations increased the use of Strategic Traffic Accident Reduction Tactics (START) which concentrates additional enforcement efforts at or near high crash intersections.
In addition to their focus on traffic and DUI enforcement, STEP is also involved with several national and state traffic safety programs such as “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest ;” “Click It Or Ticket;” and “Stop Light Red Running.” Members of the STEP Unit also attend and participate in the Pasco County Community Traffic Safety Team.
Enhanced Enforcement Location Calendar
February / March 2013
Dates |
District |
Enforcement Activity |
Enforcement Areas |
Remarks |
Feb 4 – Feb 17 | 1 | Speed & Aggressive Driving Enforcement/DUI Wolf Packs |
Hudson, Port Richey | MOC 2-15-13 |
Feb 18 – Mar 3 | 2 | Enhanced Traffic Enforcement & DUI Saturation Patrols |
Dade City, Zephyrhills | |
Mar 4 – Mar 17 | 3 | DUI Saturation Patrols/Speed & Aggressive Driving Enforcement |
New Port Richey, Holiday | MOC 3-8-13 DUI Checkpoint 3-23-13 |
Mar 18 – Mar 31 | 1 | Enhanced Traffic Enforcement | Hudson, Port Richey |
MOC = DUI Mobile Operations Center
Saturation Patrols/Wolf Packs
A specific area that is frequently traveled by impaired drivers is selected for the Wolf Pack operation. The STEP Units aggressively patrol the area and locate impaired drivers. Wolf Pack operations can be conducted at any time or place with or without prior warning.
Sobriety Checkpoints
Sobriety checkpoints are an effective law enforcement tool involving the stopping of vehicles or a specific sequence of vehicles, at a predetermined fixed location to detect drivers impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs. These operations not only serve as a specific deterrent by arresting impaired drivers who pass through the checkpoints, but more importantly, as a general deterrent to persons who have knowledge of the operation. Local law enforcement agencies and the Florida Highway Patrol participate in regular DUI Checkpoints
County-Wide DUI Crashes
(Includes results of all vehicles involved in crahes in PSO, NPR, PR, ZHL, and DC jurisdictions) |
||||||
Year
|
Alcohol & Drugs
|
Alcohol Involved
|
Drugs Involved
|
Had Been Drinking
|
Pending Results
|
Total number of crashes flagged ‘DUI’
|
2002
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
251
|
2003
|
17
|
279
|
34
|
174
|
71
|
359
|
2004
|
36
|
324
|
45
|
235
|
35
|
414
|
2005
|
77
|
406
|
52
|
247
|
71
|
566
|
2006
|
57
|
312
|
71
|
229
|
52
|
442
|
2007
|
45
|
305
|
67
|
186
|
68
|
439
|
2008
|
45
|
269
|
97
|
183
|
76
|
441
|
2009
|
35*
|
219*
|
96*
|
151*
|
69*
|
371*
|
*Statistics reflect crashes during the year 1/1/2009 – 11/30/2009
|
Pasco Sheriff’s Office Jurisdiction DUI Related Crashes
(Includes results of all vehicles invovled in crashes within PSO jurisdiction) |
||||||
Year
|
Alcohol & Drugs
|
Alcohol Involved
|
Drugs Involved
|
Had Been Drinking
|
Pending Results
|
Total number of crashes flagged ‘DUI’
|
2002
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
206
|
2003
|
16
|
228
|
25
|
145
|
58
|
294
|
2004
|
26
|
279
|
40
|
213
|
30
|
354
|
2005
|
67
|
366
|
47
|
222
|
66
|
505
|
2006
|
50
|
253
|
66
|
200
|
45
|
372
|
2007
|
40
|
261
|
56
|
166
|
59
|
378
|
2008
|
35
|
196
|
77
|
135
|
51
|
330
|
2009
|
32*
|
189*
|
80*
|
135*
|
59*
|
319*
|
*Statistics reflect crashes during the year from 1/1/2009 – 11/30/2009 |
** Note: DUI crash statistics in the above 2 tables are provided by Florida DOT & may be different from those provided by DHSMV. Crashes identified as ‘Had Been Drinking’ or ‘Pending Refults’ may not necessarily have been flagged ‘DUI’.
Countywide Fatality & Injury Totals |
||
Year
|
Fatalities
|
Injuries
|
2003
|
42
|
509
|
2004
|
36
|
629
|
2005
|
43
|
908
|
2006
|
46
|
662
|
2007
|
43
|
632
|
2008
|
45
|
585
|
2009
|
27*
|
554*
|
Source of Fatality and Injury Data: Florida DOT
|
||
*Statistics reflect crashes during the year
from 1/1/2009 – 11/30/2009 |
DUI Arrests
Pasco Sheriff’s Office |
|
Year
|
Pasco Sheriff’s Office DUI Arrests
|
2002
|
814
|
2003
|
993
|
2004
|
806
|
2005
|
1,065
|