(Le Floridien) — A new study has revealed that Monroe County has the highest rate of DUI arrests in Florida, far exceeding the state average. The research, conducted by Las Vegas-based Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, analyzed DUI arrest data from 2020 to 2024 using the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer and calculated the average annual DUI arrests per 100,000 residents.
Monroe County, home to just 81,860 residents, ranked first with 318.8 DUI arrests per 100,000 residents. This figure is 768.7% higher than Florida’s statewide average of 36.7 arrests. Over the four-year period, Monroe County recorded an average of 261 arrests each year, with the highest number in 2020 at 380 and the lowest in 2021 with 126.
Nassau County came second with 157.0 arrests per 100,000 residents, or 327.5% above the state average. The county, with a population of 97,859, averaged 154 arrests annually, peaking at 480 in 2020 before dropping to zero in 2021. St. Johns County ranked third with 138.6 arrests per 100,000 residents, nearly 277.7% higher than the state average. With 306,934 residents, St. Johns reported an average of 425 DUI arrests per year, reaching its highest point in 2024 with 650 arrests and its lowest in 2021 with just 19.
Hillsborough County placed fourth with 120.5 arrests per 100,000 residents, or 228.5% higher than the state average, averaging 1,835 arrests annually from 2020 to 2024. Charlotte County followed in fifth place with 119.2 arrests per 100,000 residents, averaging 240 arrests per year. Sarasota County ranked sixth with 117.2, Collier seventh with 117.1, Hendry eighth with 105.2, Santa Rosa ninth with 104.4, and Indian River tenth with 75.6. By contrast, Clay, Dixie, and Gadsden Counties reported zero DUI arrests during the period studied.
A spokesperson for Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers commented that the findings highlight significant variations in DUI arrest rates across Florida. They stressed that counties like Monroe, Nassau, and St. Johns are far above the state average, pointing to the need for targeted prevention, more public awareness campaigns, and increased law enforcement resources. “Each arrest reflects not just a legal infraction, but also the public safety risks posed to residents and visitors. Understanding these trends can help policymakers and community leaders implement effective interventions to reduce DUI incidents statewide,” the spokesperson said.
The study underscores the seriousness of impaired driving across the state and the uneven patterns seen from one county to another. While some areas record little to no DUI activity, others remain alarmingly high. For Florida, the message is clear: impaired driving continues to be a major public safety issue, and stronger efforts are needed to keep residents and visitors safe on the roads.
