Action News Jax Investigates: a drop in local DUI arrests

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With the stay at home order in effect in Florida, fewer drivers are out on the roads. An Action News Jax investigation uncovered a drop in local DUI arrests.

Bars in Florida were ordered to close St. Patrick’s Day. From March 17 through the end of the month, the Florida Highway Patrol arrested at least 11 people for driving under the influence. During that same time frame, FHP recorded 20 arrests in 2019 and 38 in 2018.

Action News Jax dug deeper and found the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office also saw a drop in DUI arrests in the last weekend of March. Going through court records and the inmate log, Action News Jax found JSO arrested seven people for DUI on March 28 and two people on March 29. Compared to the last weekend in March 2019, there were six DUI arrests March 30, 2019 and 11 DUI arrests March 31, 2019. That’s down nearly half.

Judy Cotton with Mothers Against Drunk Driving has worked with dozens of local families impacted by DUI crashes. She said the coronavirus has had at least one positive impact.

“That’s an encouraging sign. Maybe people will realize now that they don’t have to go out and they don’t have to drink and drive,” Cotton said. She said she hopes the trend continues.