In an effort to confront the harrowing aftereffects of impaired driving, Palm Beach County's Public Safety Department's Division of Victim Services (PSDVS) is banding together with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) this December. According to data from the Florida Department of Transportation, the county saw 1,920 arrests for driving under the influence in 2023, leading to 1,083 total crashes, with 67 serious injuries and 45 fatalities reported. Their partnership underscores a sobering recognition: behind these statistics are stories of people whose lives are forever altered.

The upcoming Victim Remembrance Memorial aims to acknowledge the lives upheaved by impaired driving. As reported by Palm Beach County, this gathering serves as a reminder that the consequences are not mere abstractions — they are real, enduring, and wholly preventable. In December, traditionally proclaimed as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, these organizations push the message that each injury, each death caused by an impaired driver is a loss that could have been sidestepped, a decision that should never have been made.

The vigil planned to commemorate these victims and survivors is set for December 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Boynton Beach City Hall Amphitheater. In announcements shared, PSDVS and MADD illuminate a path towards remembrance, away from the shadows of grief, towards a shared light — a candlelight, in this instance. The hope is that by marking these losses in a public manner, the community can foster a deeper understanding and commitment to preventing such tragedies in the future.

Those wishing to attend are encouraged by Carrie Gale, DUI Project Coordinator for PSDVS, to RSVP by emailing [email protected] and to include a photograph of their impacted loved one. Gale can also be reached at 561-355-2383 for any inquiries regarding the event.