Traffic fatalities in Orange County up 23% in 2016

Arrive Alive initiative seeks safer roadways statewide

From the Florida Highway Patrol

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), today launched Arrive Alive, a data-driven statewide initiative seeking to reduce fatalities and serious bodily injury crashes on Florida’s roadways. Arrive Alive is a partnership between various highway safety, law enforcement and engineering entities including the Florida Sheriffs’ Association, Florida Police Chiefs’ Association, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Transportation Highway Safety Administration and other public safety partners.

“DHSMV’s mission is to ensure all motorists on Florida roadways Arrive Alive,” said DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “The Arrive Alive initiative is the most comprehensive collaborative, data-driven campaign strictly devoted to safer roadways and communities. The initiative would not be possible without our partners, and we appreciate their support in pursuit of A Safer Florida.”

The Arrive Alive initiative will incorporate law enforcement presence, media outreach and road safety assessments in a high crash and high crime areas through a strategic and data driven approach. This approach will be shared with partners and will guide all activity throughout the initiative to ensure resources are targeted in the appropriate areas.

“The FHP is carrying on a proud legacy of promoting safety and security with our Arrive Alive campaign,” said FHP Director, Colonel Gene S. Spaulding. “The FHP is committed to working with our local police departments, Sheriffs’ offices, and FDOT to ensure that motorists in Florida feel safe while traveling on our roadways.”

"With an increase in Florida traffic fatalities in 2016, the Florida Police Chiefs Association is proud to partner with the FHP in the Arrive Alive initiative. With millions of resident and visitor drivers on Florida’s roadways, it is imperative that drivers are aware of how dangerous impaired, distracted or aggressive driving is," said Coconut Creek Police Chief Butch Arenal, President of the Association. "Aggressive or careless driving puts you and your family at risk, puts other travelers in harm's way and endangers the thousands of officers working each day to protect Florida's residents and guests. Slowing down, focusing on the road and driving defensively can be the difference between arriving safely and a senseless tragedy."

In Orange County, traffic fatalities rose 23% in 2016.

“Traffic crashes, most of which are avoidable, are responsible for many of the debilitating injuries that our youth receive each year. On behalf of the Florida Sheriffs Association, I endorse and fully support the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Arrive Alive campaign, “said Sheriff Jerry Demings, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association.

FDOT Secretary Jim Boxold said, "Driving down fatalities, a Toward Zero Deaths initiative is a vision we share with our traffic safety partners. We are pleased to work with our law enforcement partners on the Arrive Alive campaign because one life lost is too many."