Extra DUI patrols planned during spring break

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 Orlando) - Joining the party this weekend? Well, law enforcement officers say play it safe or get ready to see them.

On Friday, officers from across Central Florida mobilized for a long weekend. In Orange County alone, officers from 10 local agencies joined the highway patrol for a massive overnight DUI enforcement effort.  This is no random weekend enforcement for state-wide agencies.

"Not only do we have the colleges coming in, the high schools, we also have vacationers from around the world coming in too,” an Florida Highway Patrol supervisor told the crowd of officers getting ready to hit the road in Orlando Friday night.

Spring Break, Bike Week, St. Patrick’s Day, and several other local events are all taking place this weekend; all big party and drinking occasions.

Officers are urging drivers to leave for their destinations early, expect large crowds everywhere, and designate a driver or call a cab if drinking.

The Florida Highway Patrol says the month of March is typically their busiest for DUI crashes with 39 fatal crashes in Central Florida alone during March 2018 and nearly 5000 alcohol related crashes state-wide.