Driving impaired remains one of the most serious and preventable dangers on the road. In Florida, one in three fatal traffic crashes involves an impaired driver, accounting for more than 30 percent of all traffic fatalities. In response, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) launched a safety campaign in March 2026 aimed at reminding motorists that impaired driving is a choice with consequences. The campaign, titled “Never Drive Impaired,” encourages drivers to make responsible decisions before getting behind the wheel.

Officials behind the campaign stress that preventing impaired driving is not only a matter of enforcement but also of personal responsibility. Dave Kerner, Executive Director of FLHSMV, emphasized that safety begins long before the engine starts. Planning ahead and choosing not to drive while impaired can prevent tragedies that affect families and communities. Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze added that troopers frequently encounter situations that could have been avoided if drivers had simply chosen not to drive while impaired.

Alcohol remains the leading factor behind impaired-driving crashes in Florida. Over the past five years, alcohol alone accounted for 84.4 percent of impaired-driving crashes, 35.7 percent of fatalities related to impaired driving, and more than 80 percent of injuries in such incidents. Authorities also note that violations related to driving under the influence and open alcohol containers historically increase during March. Under Florida law, DUI penalties can include heavy fines, license revocation and potential imprisonment, and a conviction remains on a driving record for 75 years.

The campaign also highlights the risks linked to drug-impaired driving. Unlike alcohol, there is no single legal impairment threshold for drugs, and their effects can vary widely between individuals. Marijuana is the most common drug found in impaired-driving crashes in Florida, particularly among drivers aged 10 to 24, while drivers aged 25 to 29 show the highest numbers of drug-related crashes and positive drug tests. Between 2018 and 2023, the state recorded more than 4,000 drug-confirmed crashes and nearly 2,300 fatalities connected to drug impairment.

Beyond alcohol and drugs, the campaign draws attention to another often overlooked risk, fatigue. Drowsy driving can slow reaction times, impair judgment and even cause brief “microsleep” episodes in which a driver loses awareness of the road. To address impaired driving in all its forms, Florida currently has 303 certified Drug Recognition Experts trained to detect impairment through physiological and behavioural indicators. Their work, combined with public awareness efforts, forms part of a broader attempt to reduce preventable crashes and remind drivers that the safest choice is always to stay behind the wheel only when fully alert and unimpaired.

Find more from Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (USA, March 2026)