News

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over; Impaired Driving Crack Down Dec. 16, 2011 - Jan.2, 2012.

12/06/2011

As part of the National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention month, a lot of state highway patrol and local law enforcement agencies will be joining together this holiday season in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign to remove drunk and drugged drivers from America's roads. Drunk and drugged driving is especially prevalent during the holidays; leading to a tragic holiday season for many American families. During the month of December, 2009, 753 people were killed in crashes that involved drivers or motorcycle riders with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.

One of the problems stems from all of the holiday parties during this period where participants have just a few drinks - an amount that they don't feel will impact their driving abilities - and hit the road. However, even a small amount of alcohol from just a drink or two can impair your ability to drive. Drivers sometimes tend to forget that buzzed driving is still drunk driving.

Don't allow yourself to be pulled into that trap. There are many ways to enjoy the holiday season without the danger of drinking and driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
• Use your community's sober ride program
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement; and
• And remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

If you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take the driver's keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

If you are hosting a party, you should remember that you can be held liable if a guest leaves your party and is involved in an alcohol or drug related collision. As a host, consider serving non-alcoholic "cocktails" and drinks. Recipes for a variety of refreshing non-alcoholic drinks are easily available online at this time of year.

December is the most dangerous driving month of the year. Don't add to the danger by adding alcohol or other drugs to the mix. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.