Florida DUI Statistics
For more than 15 years, the attorneys at Sammis Law Firm have represented clients charged with DUI in the City of Tampa and surrounding areas throughout Hillsborough County. We pay attention to statistics on DUI cases, which impact how arrests are made and cases are prosecuted.
DUI arrests and convictions tend to trend downward over time, although the numbers have been slightly higher since the COVID-19 crisis began. The main reason for the drop in DUI cases is that fewer people take a chance when driving after consuming alcohol or drugs.
When people enjoy a night out, they use a designated driver or ride-sharing services such as Uber and LYFT. Establishments that serve alcohol are also less willing to over-serve clients because of concerns about either liability or criticism. To reinforce those views, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office partnered with alcohol vendors and retailers to inform and educate employees and managers about impairment and impaired driving.
Members of the Florida Impaired Driving Coalition have noted that the reduction in arrests can also be attributed to officer attitude, the time it takes to process a DUI, and reduced law enforcement personnel. However, the number of fatalities from traffic crashes is also down.
Local, state and national organizations gather information on DUI statistics. Visit the links below for more information about DUI statistics gathered in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and Florida.
Florida DUI Statistics in 2021
In 2021, Florida had more than 38,000 DUIs. For DUI cases involving a crash, the cases included:
- Alcohol only – 5,111;
- Drugs only – 747; and
- Poly Use – 414.
When it comes to the scope of the issues in DUI fatalities, the statistics show:
- Alcohol only – 407;
- Drugs only – 420; and
- Poly Use – 383.
When it comes to the scope of the issues in DUI crashes with injuries, the statistics show:
- Alcohol only – 2,996;
- Drugs only – 520; and
- Poly Use – 303.
Total Number of DUI Cases Filed Each Year
In 2018, there were a total of 32,177 arrests for DUI in Florida. Of those arrests, 32,108 were adults, and 69 were juveniles. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), there were 5,106 alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in 2018, compared to 5,125 in 2017 and 5,223 in 2016. Three hundred fifty-two (352) of the 5,106 alcohol-related motor-vehicle crashes in 2018 resulted in a fatality, compared to 350 fatalities in 2017 and 417 fatalities in 2016.5
According to the Florida Uniform Traffic Citation Statistics as of 5/1/2018, this graph shows the total number of DUI cases filed each year and the pending percentage.
Year | Total Cases Filed | % Pending | # of Cases Pending | Actual Guilty Adjudications |
2012 | 53,664 | 6% | 3,485 | 36,961 |
2013 | 50,377 | 7% | 3,294 | 33,971 |
2014 | 49,776 | 7% | 3,515 | 33,279 |
2015 | 46,992 | 7% | 3,585 | 30,961 |
2016 | 46,643 | 11% | 5,286 | 27,920 |
2017 | 43,899 | 29% | 12,578 | 23,319 |
According to the FDLE Statistical Reviews, the number of DUI breath tests has dropped yearly since FDLE started reporting statistics from the Intoxilyzer 8000.
- 2007 – 53,168
- 2008 – 51,274 – 3.56% drop
- 2009 – 48,516 – 5.38% drop
- 2010 – 43,568 -10.20% drop
- 2011 – 40,682 – 6.62% drop
- 2012 – 37,974 – 6.66% drop
- 2013 – 35,471 – 6.59% drop
- 2014 – 34,287 – 3.34% drop
- 2015 – 31,421 – 8.36% drop
- 2016 – 30,478 – 3.00% drop
- 2017 – 30,386 –
In the calendar year 2016, DHSMV reported 17,021 DUI convictions, including:
1st DUI offense | 12,627 | 74.2% |
2nd DUI offense | 3,154 | 18.53% |
3rd DUI offense | 858 | 6.79% |
4th/+ DUI offense | 382 | 2.24% |
These figures came from an email from the DHSMV dated March 9, 2017, filed with the Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Florida Senate.
DUI Statistics in Tampa, FL
The Tampa Police Department keeps track of the number of people arrested for DUI each year. The summary distinguishes between self-initiated stops and investigations that involve the DUI enforcement officer being dispatched. According to the Tampa Police Department DUI Arrests Summary for 2016, the Tampa Police Department made 2,087 DUI arrests. In 2017, TPD made only 1,729 DUI Arrests, a drop of 16.8%.
Just over one-half of those arrests were self-initiated in both 2016 and 2017. Less than half of the cases involved the DUI enforcement officer being dispatched to the scene.
The 2016 summary also distinguished between different types of DUI-related cases, including:
- Crash (DUI related) at 13.8%;
- Wrong-way driver (DUI arrest) at 5.7%;
- DUI checkpoint arrests at 0.5%;
- Superior Response to Fatal / SBI Crash at 0%; or
- Supervisor DUI Assist at 5.3%.
The 2016 summary also distinguished between different types of DUI tests:
- Breath above .08% BrAC 49.1%
- Urine, Blood, or Refusal 49.3%
- .000-.079% 1.6%
Out of those DUI arrests by the Tampa Police Department with a breath test reading, the BAC Range is broken down as follows:
- .080-.149 at 21.5%
- .150-.199 at 17.3%
- .200-.249 at 7.4%
- .250-.299 at 2.5%
- .300 or over at .04%
Read more about DUI arrests by the Tampa Police Department and their top 10 locations to look for drunk drivers.
Crime Statistics from the Police Department for the City of Tampa show that the number of DUI arrests has fluctuated over the last ten years. TPD made the highest number of DUI arrests in 2007 when it issued 2,773 DUI citations. The lowest number of DUI arrests was made in 2012, when only 1,912 DUI citations were issued.
Year – Number of DUI – Arrest Citations Issued by Tampa Police Department
- 2018 – 1,332 (1,479)
- 2017 – 1,613 (1,798)
- 2016 – 2,087 (2,119)
- 2015 – 1,568 (1,579)
- 2014 – 2,104
- 2013 – 1,947
- 2012 – 1,912 (1,842)
- 2011 – 2,045 (2,041)
- 2010 – 2,222
- 2009 – 2,415
- 2008 – 2,217
- 2007 – 2,773
- 2006 – 2,444
- 2005 – 2,786
- 2004 – 2,639
- 2003 – 2,045
- 2002 – 2,156
Hillsborough County DUI Statistics
The FDLE publishes a list of DUI arrests made each year by county. The following list shows the number of arrests for DUI in Hillsborough County for all agencies in that county:
- 2018 – 3,462 (3,685)
- 2017 – 3,747 (4,076)
- 2016 – (4,442)
- 2015 – (3,709)
- 2014 – 4,006 (4,181)
- 2013 – 3,660 (3,799)
- 2012 – 3,911 (4,030)
- 2011 – 4,188 (4,463)
- 2010 – 5,096 (5,236)
The total number of DUI arrests in Hillsborough County in 2018 totaled 3,462, including:
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – 1,523
- Plant City Police Department – 45
- Tampa Police Department – 1332
- Temple Terrace Police Department – 25
- FDLE – Tampa TBOC – 0
- Tampa International Airport Police Dept. – 7
- The University of South Florida Police Dept – 33
- DOC Inspector General – Hillsborough – 0
- DABT – Hillsborough – 0
- DIFS – Hillsborough – 0
- FWC – Hillsborough – 2
- FHP – Tampa – 496
The total number of DUI arrests in Hillsborough County in 2018 totaled 3,747, including :
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – 1,589
- Plant City Police Department – 69
- Tampa Police Department – 1,613
- Temple Terrace Police Department – 37
- FDLE – Tampa TBOC – 0
- Tampa International Airport Police Dept. – 7
- The University of South Florida Police Dept – 26
- DOC Inspector General – Hillsborough – 0
- DABT – Hillsborough – 0
- DIFS – Hillsborough – 0
- FWC – Hillsborough – 0
- FHP – Tampa – 406
According to the 2015 MADD National nomination, HCSO conducted 1,812 DUI investigations in 2014, leading to formal criminal charges.
The 3D DUI Squad accounted for 70% of the DUI investigations conducted by HCSO. Additionally, the 3D DUI Squad conducted 7 Checkpoints and 31 Saturations. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – DUI Team Operation 3D is a squad is comprised of 11 enforcement personnel, 1 SAVE Deputy & 1 SUCCEED Deputy. In 2014, Operation 3D Squad worked 361 more DUIs (1,328) and completed 2,323 more traffic stops than in 2013.
Also, only one (1) deputy achieved more than 100 DUI arrests in 2013, and nine (9) 3D deputies achieved more than 100 DUIs in 2014. Those deputies included:
- Deputy Ryan Dunn;
- Deputy Wesley Couch;
- Deputy Jeremy Goff;
- Deputy Daniel Simpkins;
- Deputy Victor DeJesus;
- Deputy Robert Przybysz;
- Deputy Robert Franklin;
- Deputy Kirby Lavallee; and
- Deputy Domingo Gonzalez.
Florida DUI Statistics in 2011
Statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) show that 55,722 citations for DUI were issued in Florida. Out of those 55,722 citations, only 33,625 DUI convictions were reported.
Approximately 60% of individuals cited for DUI in Florida were ultimately convicted. The other citations may have been resolved without a DUI conviction under the following circumstances:
- the prosecutor dropped the charges;
- the court dismissed the charges;
- the individual entered a plea to a lesser charge, such as “reckless driving”; or
- the charges are still pending resolution.
Who issued these DUI citations? A breakdown of the agencies that issued the citations shows that 23,649 were issued by various police departments throughout Florida, 21,868 were issued by various sheriff’s departments in Florida, and the Florida Highway Patrol issued 9,328.
Which county had the highest number of DUI citations issued in the State of Florida? That distinction goes to Hillsborough County, with 3,256 citations. Another county in the Tampa Bay area came in fourth place – Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater) had 1,824 citations issued.
The report showed that in 2011, the DUI convictions in the largest Florida counties included:
- Hillsborough County (Tampa) – 3,256
- Miami-Dade – (Miami) – 2,274
- Duval County – (Jacksonville Area) – 2,222
- Pinellas County (St Petersburg) – 1,824
- Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach) – 1,561
- Orange County (Orlando) – 1,383
- Brevard County (Melbourne) – 1,072
- Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) – 985
2010 Florida DUI Statistics
In 2010, 58,174 DUI citations were issued. Of those, 30,933 resulted in an adjudication of guilt for DUI or reduced charges for reckless driving.
More than 1,100 of these cases involve the case being resolved with adjudication withheld by the judge, which would not involve a plea to DUI because, in a DUI case, the judge is not allowed to withhold adjudication.
The prosecutor entered a “nol pross” which dropped the charges in 5,809 cases. At the time the statistics were reported, 18,749 of these cases were still pending resolution. A breakdown of DUI convictions in the largest counties in Florida include
- Hillsborough County (Tampa) – 3,256
- Miami-Dade – (Miami) – 2,274
- Duval County – (Jacksonville) – 2,222
- Pinellas County (St Petersburg / Clearwater) – 1,824
- Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach) – 1,561
- Orange County (Orlando) – 1,383
- Brevard County (Melbourne) – 1,072
- Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) – 985
The Humber of DUI Citations Issued vs. DUI Convictions Per Years
- 2006 – 63,591;
- 2007 – 64,410;
- 2008 – 64,654 – 38,664;
- 2009 – 63,019 – 36,872.
Florida DUI Statistics in 2008
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued preliminary data regarding statistics in 2008 showing that the number of DUI fatalities was down in 2008. Only 2,986 deaths occurred in 2008, the lowest number of fatalities in eight years, even though the State’s population grew more than 18% over the same period.
The Florida Highway Patrol Activity report also shows that in 2008, the Florida Highway Patrol did the following:
- made 10,732 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI);
- made 8,320 arrests for felony offenses;
- issued 406,482 citations for speeding;
- investigated 230,515 crashes; and
- recovered 942 stolen vehicles.
Last year the Florida DHSMV reported a summary of the total DUI violations and convictions, which included the following findings regarding changes from 2006 to 2007:
- Violations for DUI in the state rose from 63,591 in 2006 to 64,410 in 2007, an increase of 1.29%;
- The number of pending DUI dispositions fell from 21,217 in 2006 to 20,919 in 2007, a decrease of
1.40%; - DUI convictions in the state rose from 34,638 in 2006 to 35,372 in 2007, an increase of 2.12%.
Problems with DUI Statistics Across the United States
An estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving crashes involving a driver with illegal blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 or greater in 2008. Those 11,773 deaths constitute 31.6 percent of the 37,261 total traffic fatalities in 2008. (NHTSA DUI Statistics 2009).
Beware of statistics on “alcohol-related” fatal accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the U.S. defines a fatal crash as alcohol-related if either a driver or a non-motorist had a measurable or estimated BAC of 0.01 g/dl or above. That standard is entirely too low. Florida law presumes NO impairment if the BAC is .05 or lower.
Additionally, most people would assume the alcohol was consumed by the driver and intoxication contributed to the accident. But under this standard, even if a passenger in the backseat had a .01 BAC, the incident is counted as “alcohol-related.” Even more troubling, if a sober driver hits a pedestrian with a BAC of .01, NHTSA would report it as an alcohol-related fatal crash. See 2007 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Traffic Safety Annual Assessment.
Additional Resources
Hillsborough County Chapter Information on MADD – Visit the MADD website to find information on the West Central Florida chapter of MADD in the Tampa Regional Office located at 13902 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 239 in Tampa, FL.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – DUI Statistics – Find recent DUI statistics explaining which days of the week have higher numbers of DUI arrests. The statistics are based on information gather from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Find links to the HCSO website to learn more about DUI enforcement including Operation 3D, a public awareness plan created to enhance the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office DUI enforcement efforts. Operation 3D publishes a DUI Enforcement Calendar of Events and information on S.A.V.E. – Sheriff’s Alcohol Vendor Enforcement.
Summary of Florida’s Laws in Tampa – Visit the Univerity of Tampa website for a summary of Florida’s DUI laws. The summary lists penalties and punishments for a first and second conviction, related charges, and links to the Florida Legislature Website,
This article was last updated on Monday, November 25, 2024.
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