Spring Break Safety: How to Avoid Impaired Drivers During Party Season in South Florida

For South Florida residents, Spring Break means out-of-town drivers causing hazardous driving conditions. Often these young drivers, who do not know the area near their favorite beach destinations, behave recklessly or drive while impaired, which results in traffic violations and accidents.

In fact, Spring Break is one of the most traveled times of the year, following Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Spring Break 2022 dates begin February 15 and go through March 31, with the peak landing in mid-March. Each year during Spring Break, car accident numbers rise with an increase in the number of impaired drivers on the road resulting in increased injuries and fatalities.

Here, the Accident Recovery Team at County Line Chiropractic Medical & Rehab Centers offers you these tips on how to stay safe during Spring Break 2022.

New South Florida Spring Break 2022 Rules

To keep spring breakers and South Florida residents safe, Miami Beach officials have implemented new rules. These rules include:

• Alcohol – From March 7 – 21 the last call for alcohol will be at 2 a.m. for businesses south of 16th Street
• Traffic plan – To help reduce congestion in the South of 5th and Flamingo Park neighborhoods on the weekends
• More staff – More police, fire rescue, code compliance and goodwill ambassadors will be seen throughout the month

Know That Car Crash Deaths Have Increased During the Pandemic

2020 saw 38,680 deaths on US roadways, the most since 2007, even though fewer miles were driven due to pandemic precautions. One theory about the reason behind the increase was stressed-out people releasing their anxieties on wide-open roads.

However, the trend does not seem to have reversed as restrictions were lifted last year and more people have hit the roads again. While total numbers for 2021 have not been released yet, an estimated 31,720 people died in the first 9 months of the year, which would be the highest number of fatalities during the first nine months of any year since 2006.

Experts suggest that feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression have made drivers more likely to drink or use drugs, speed, or leave their seat belts unbuckled.

What does this mean for you? Take a look at your own driving habits and make sure you haven’t picked up any bad habits since the start of the pandemic. Beyond that, you should pay more attention than ever to the other drivers around you. Always be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to stop or swerve to avoid reckless driving.

What Are the Signs of Impaired Drivers?

Impaired, in the realm of driving, most often refers to drivers who are operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is also used to describe a driver who is having difficulty driving due to aggression, confusion, drowsiness, distractions in or outside the vehicle, talking or texting on a mobile device, or other factors.

Staying alert for impaired drivers can lower your risk of being involved in an accident by allowing you to keep your distance once the impaired driver is observed.

Here are some factors to look for when identifying an impaired driver:

• Drivers who are speeding or driving too slowly as well as drivers who are driving at unpredictable speeds (i.e. fast, then slow, or stopping suddenly for no apparent reason).
• Drivers traveling erratically or drifting in and out of traffic lanes.
• Drivers who are behaving in an unusual manner, like stopping at a green light or speeding through a stop sign.
• Drivers driving aggressively (i.e. following too closely, passing in an unsafe manner, etc.).

What Do I Do if I See a Potential Impaired Driver?

If you notice what appears to be an impaired driver, you should take the following precautions:

• Reduce your speed and increase your distance. By slowing your speed, you will increase the distance between you and the impaired driver which will, in turn, provide you with greater reaction time in the event of an incident.
• Keep your eyes on the road and continue scanning for additional impaired drivers. In popular vacation spots in Florida, the chances increase of multiple individuals driving while impaired. Do not allow yourself to become so distracted by the impaired driver that you become one yourself.
• Note the impaired driver’s license plate. When witnessing an impaired driver who is likely to cause an accident, you should note the license plate of the vehicle. If you have a passenger in your vehicle, they can get the license plate number, as well as a description of the vehicle, and the location, and report it to local law enforcement. If not, you should pull off the road, so you can do so safely.

Safe Driving Tips During Spring Break in South Florida

When traveling, whether in your community or on vacation, always buckle up for safety. Remember that children under the age of 12 should always be in the backseat, secured safely in a child safety seat or with a seatbelt. Always avoid impaired or distracted driving and check weather conditions in your area.

Here are some additional defensive driving skills that may help you avoid getting into an accident:

• Be aware of your surroundings. Scan the road and check your mirrors often to look for potential obstacles or dangerous drivers.
• Follow the 3- to 4-second rule. In normal traffic under good weather conditions, ensure you stay at least 3 to 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. Increase that distance during bad weather or night driving.
• Monitor your speed. In addition to following the speed limit in good weather conditions, you should drive slower in bad weather such as downpouring rain or strong winds.
• Have an escape route. Don’t let your vehicle get boxed in – always look for a way to escape if your lane of travel becomes blocked suddenly due to an accident or debris in the road.
• Don’t depend on other drivers to follow the rules. Watch out for vehicles that run red lights, change lanes without signaling, or refuse to let you merge.

If You Get in an Accident, Contact a Car Accident Chiropractor

The Accident Doctors at County Line Chiropractic Medical & Rehab Centers want you to stay safe on the roads, but if you or your loved one is injured in a car accident, make an appointment with our experienced car accident chiropractors immediately!

At County Line Chiropractic, we identify the source of your pain by discussing your accident and pain, doing a physical exam, and performing imaging tests like an X-ray or an MRI. Then, we create a custom care plan that actually addresses the cause of your pain rather than masking it. We have a variety of holistic, drug-free therapies that may help relieve your pain.

We have 6 South Florida locations to serve you. While it’s always best to make an appointment, we do accept walk-ins. Was your vehicle totaled in the accident? We offer transportation services for our car accident victim clients, so don’t let the lack of a running car stop you from getting the care you need.