ORLANDO, Fla. — As Central Florida prepares for the holiday season, state leaders and law enforcement are bringing more awareness to the dangers of drunk driving.

What You Need To Know

  •  Local law enforcement will be stepping up patrols

  • December is National Impaired Driving Awareness Month

  •  If you see someone impaired, call *347

December is National Impaired Driving Awareness Month.

As we inch towards Christmas, Attorney General Ashley Moody said FHP and local law enforcement will be stepping up patrols and setting up DUI patrols looking for impaired drivers.

She joined Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez and others at a Monday morning press conference.

We heard from a local family who knows the impact of drunk driving firsthand. "This man who killed my son has yet to be arrested or charged and is still driving on the roads. This man made a reckless and selfish choice to drink and drive and that single decision has destroyed our lives forever and forced our family, friends and all of our Central Florida community to grieve the unimaginable nightmare of losing our beloved Mikey Stroz," Jacklynn Stroz with Mother's Against Drunk Driving said.

16-year-old Mikey Stroz's family said he was killed by a drunk driver in Alabama over the summer.

They alongside law enforcement are urging if you see someone impaired, call *347.

If you're drinking, use a ride-share, call a friend or stay where you are. Don't get behind the wheel.

Last holiday season, over 1,000 crashes in Florida were impairment related, FHP said.

In that same time frame, over 5,000 people were arrested in our state for impaired driving.   

So, if you're celebrating this season, you're asked to do it safely.