The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Florida Highway Patrol, is ramping up efforts to crack down on impaired driving this weekend with a DUI Wolf Pack operation.
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Deputies and troopers are out in full force to target some of the county’s busiest roadways and reduce the risk of traffic accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
As part of this operation, law enforcement officials are focusing their attention on high-traffic areas, including County Road 210, Racetrack Road, and US 1, with additional patrols across the county. The goal is to increase visibility and ensure that traffic laws are strictly enforced, particularly as holiday celebrations increase the number of drivers on the road.
According to St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Alex Ellis, about 30 officers will be working tonight as part of the operation. He emphasized the importance of visible law enforcement presence to discourage impaired driving.
“You’re just gonna have more law enforcement officers, whether they’re St. Johns County deputies or Florida Highway Patrol troopers, patrolling the streets, looking to enforce traffic laws,” said Ellis. “And if it results in removing an impaired driver, that will be done as well.”
Ellis also stated that the number of officers will increase as the operation continues throughout the night, particularly in areas like County Road 210 and Racetrack Road.
The DUI Wolf Pack operation is part of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing efforts to reduce fatalities, injuries, and property damage caused by impaired driving. Officers are committed to ensuring safer streets for everyone in the county.
“A total of 30 additional law enforcement officers will be out, solely focused on traffic enforcement to create a safer county for everyone,” Ellis added.
As part of the operation, law enforcement officials are urging drivers to plan and make responsible choices, especially during the weekend. They strongly advise against driving while impaired and recommend using alternative transportation options if you plan to drink.
“The easiest one is don’t drive. There are so many rideshare programs, taxis, AAA’s Tow to Go, or call the sheriff’s office,” Ellis said. “We will take you home if you’re too drunk to drive. We would rather you get home safely than risk your life or someone else’s.”
Action News Jax spoke with local drivers, some of whom expressed their commitment to staying vigilant on the roads this weekend.
“We have our kids with us, and we wanted to make the trip extra fun. Safety is definitely a concern, but I’ve noticed a lot more police out on the roads today. They’ve done a great job keeping everyone safe,” said driver Hannah Kloskey.
“We’ll drive safely and stay alert, making sure to watch for other drivers,” Driver Aaron Spencer.
The DUI Wolf Pack operation officially began today and will run until 4 a.m. on Saturday, December 21st.
Local authorities are reminding all drivers to stay responsible, plan ahead, and help ensure the safety of everyone on the road this holiday season.
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