OPD Adds Cameras and Radar Equipment to Cars in DUI Crackdown

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on August 29, 2012

In a move fully endorsed by Orlando personal injury lawyers, the Orlando Police Department has announced that they are adding ten specially equipped police cars to their fleet to combat drunk driving in our area. The new cars feature several different tools to detect and apprehend drunk drivers, including in-car radar systems, dashboard cameras, back seat cameras and other equipment designed for the department’s DUI Enforcement Team.

Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney was very proud to have new cars and equipment to reduce drunk driving in our city and was quick to point out the success of his department’s new DUI division.

"Every day 28 people die from drunken drivers in the U.S.," he said. "Since [Orlando’s] DUI enforcement team started last year, they’ve made more than 4,400 stops and nearly 300 DUI arrests."

Created last year, the DUI team is staffed by volunteer officers, and Chief Rooney expects that the additional equipment will help increase DUI convictions by allowing more evidence against drunk drivers. Rooney says that the cameras and radar were paid for with a $100,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant and came at no cost to Orlando taxpayers.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) executive director Yolanda Larson was delighted to hear that Orlando police will have more tools at their disposal to catch drunk drivers.

"This means so much to us. This represents hope," she said. "This will get drunk drivers off the road and prevents victims from becoming victims."

MADD member Cindy Abreau also supports the OPD’s new DUI enforcement team. Her son Davon Alicea was 18 years old when he was killed by a drunk driver in Osceola County in 2009.

"I don’t want other parents to live through my nightmare," she said. "I hope they can stop drunk drivers from taking innocent lives."

Chief Rooney says the new patrol cars will be huge assets in Joint DUI Task Force Operations throughout Orlando and Orange County.

Have you or a close member of your family been injured by a drunk driver? If so, you may be entitled to seek damages against that driver, his or her insurance company and anyone else who was responsible for the accident. For a full explanation of your rights and legal options, call Orlando drunk driving accident attorney James O. Cunningham today at 800-425-2004 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.