‘Extremely concerning’: Martin County sheriff reports rise in daytime DUI arrests
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. —
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a rise in DUI arrests, including an increase in incidents occurring during the day.
Body camera footage from Wednesday shows deputies responding to a single-vehicle crash on I-95 near Martin Highway.
Deputies said an intoxicated driver collided with a guardrail, abandoned the wrecked car in the center lane of the interstate, and fled the scene.
The driver was taken into custody and faces several charges, including DUI, possession of heroin, and driving without a license.
Sheriff John Budensiek said the county recorded five DUI arrests as of Thursday morning.
Among the incidents was a wrong-way driver on Kanner Highway, a driver on A1A who hit a railroad crossing at high speed and rolled her car, and another driver with no license or insurance.
“And then while we are getting ready to talk to you today yet again, we had another DUI in Hobe Sound: a driver slumped over the wheel, so our DUI units went down there, and he’s sitting in our jail right now,” Budensiek said.
According to the sheriff’s office, DUI charges have increased every year since 2022, and this year is currently on pace to continue the trend.
The sheriff’s office reported the following DUI arrest numbers:
2022 — 506 DUI charges
2023 — 532 DUI charges
2024 — 537 DUI charges
2025 — 540 DUI charges
2026 — 349 (year-to-date)
“All the information we’re putting out there, you would think that DUI is becoming a thing of the past, but they’re not — we’re seeing more and more of them, and lately we’re seeing more daytime DUIs, which is extremely concerning,” Budensiek said.
He said the aggressive driving unit will continue monitoring roadways day and night to combat impaired and dangerous drivers.
“So, I would suggest, as sheriff, if you intend to drink at all, catch you a rideshare to wherever you are going to go drinking and catch it back home,” Budensiek said.
He also credited members of the public who call and report suspicious activity.
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