JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Friday at an afternoon news conference the results of a recent operation that led to 33 DUI-related arrests over the Thanksgiving holiday.
At the conference, newly sworn-in Sheriff T.K. Waters said the sheriff’s office will have a “renewed focus” on impaired driving with a “heavy focus” on aggressive driving, street racing and roadway takeovers, and also vowed to make roadways safer as the holiday season gears up by increasing the number of officers on the lookout for anyone behind the wheel when they shouldn’t be.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and significantly increases the risk to every citizen on our roadways and our communities across Duval County,” Waters said.
According to Lt. Ken Lamb, JSO commanding officer of the traffic enforcement unit, nearly half of Duval County’s traffic fatalities involve “some level of impairment.”
In 2022, the number of traffic fatalities decreased by 38 since last year.
Lauren Lee lost her father 11 years ago in a drunk-driving crash.
Robert Wilhite was killed on August 13, 2011, after spending some time at a local pub and driving home.
“He had been over-served. He got into one car accident, and ultimately was pronounced dead. It was about two miles from my house about five miles from the bar,” Lee said.
Lee’s father’s death forever changed their family all because of what Lee said she sees as the worst choice her father ever made.
“I say all the time, I just wish that he had been pulled over. If they had just pulled him over, we would have paid his DUI costs thousand times over. But he’s six feet in the ground, and he doesn’t have that choice.”
At the news conference, Lamb thanked not only his officers for their commitment to proactive work but also acknowledged the public’s responsibility in ensuring traffic safety.
“We are absolutely blessed to have an engaged and empowered citizenry that partners with law enforcement to report motorists who appear to be impaired based on the driver’s behaviors,” Lamb said.
JSO continued to remind residents to not drink and drive.
“We implore our Jacksonville community to be safe and responsible if you choose to become impaired this holiday season. Please make arrangements to travel without getting behind a wheel,” Lamb said.
Since losing her father, Lee has worked with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an organization focused on eliminating the dangerous practice on roads and highways across the county.
She said, ultimately, it’s on all of us to make good decisions and take care of one another.
“You’re the only person who’s going to be responsible for you -- that loves you the way that you love you. You can’t always count on everybody. Just make a plan. Know your limits. Alcohol is a legally mind-altering drug, and when you’re consuming it, when you’re serving it, you need to be aware of what you’re doing,” Lee said.
On Friday night, News4JAX visited the Five Points neighborhood, speaking with restaurant and bar patrons — who agree that everyone needs to take the crackdown seriously.
“I’ll either call someone to pick me up or Uber,” Earl Culver told us. “It’s not worth it. The fines. The embarrassment. The towing of your vehicle. The arrest. It’s not worth it. Call an Uber and pay 20 or 30 bucks and be done with it.”
“Go out and have a great time, but be also think about other people who are on the road and if there are certain measures that restaurants or restaurant owners can take to make sure everyone has a great time, but also mindful when they leave the establishment,” another patron said. “I think that’s important.”
The national holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” begins Dec. 14. and continues through the New Year.