ORLANDO, Fla. – Law enforcement across Central Florida are warning about the dangers of impaired driving as people are preparing to celebrate the new year.
Seargeant Frank Imparato is a DUI specialist with the University of Central Florida Police Department and will be patrolling around campus on New Year’s Eve.
“I’m hoping it’s not that busy,” Imparato said. “Unfortunately, from years past I can tell you it usually is. We do usually see a lot of DUIs.”
Imparato said he wants to see everyone have a good time as they welcome 2024, but there needs to be a plan to get home safely.
“That could be having a designated sober driver, somebody who has not been drinking that can transport you and your loved ones home or maybe using Uber or Lyft,” Imparato said.
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AAA has also activated its “Tow to Go” service for year-end holidays. If someone is faced with the decision of driving impaired, they can call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or 855-286-9246 and a truck will be dispatched to take the person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.
“It is tremendously crucial. I would much rather somebody pick up a phone and call AAA or call a friend versus me finding them and ending their new years in jail,” Imparato said.
Law enforcement recommends any driver on the road to be aware of their surroundings and call 911 if they see another vehicle driving erratically.
“We don’t want them to follow them because we don’t want them to put themselves in danger, but we want to know so we can intervene and hopefully get this person off the road right away,” Imparato said.
Drivers who are arrested for DUI face serious consequences and Imparato said the main goal is keeping everyone safe on the roads.
“I don’t want to pick up the phone or I don’t want to knock on the door and say your (loved one) is not coming home because they were hit and killed by a drunk driver,” Imparato said.
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