Do not let the holiday cheer get the best of you. Of the 10,076 people who were killed in impaired driving crashes in 2013, 65 percent were the drunk drivers themselves.
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Impaired driving not only affects you, but everyone around you too.
“Traffic safety will be a top priority this holiday season”.
If you’re caught drinking and driving you could face jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other DUI expenses, totaling $10,000 on average. “They think that if they’re just a little ‘buzzed, ‘ then they’re still good to drive”.
“It’s time for all drivers to get the message”, said Chief Diana Bishop, San Rafael Police Department. For some people, it doesn’t take much to reach the unsafe level. That’s why we will show zero tolerance for drunk drivers on the road.
Law enforcement in every state and most US towns and cities are cracking down on drunk driving from December 18 to December 31. If you’re impaired, you’re more likely to choose to drive while drunk. Drunk driving is a bad killer on our nation’s roads. Christmas and New Year’s Eve were the two most popular holidays for drinking. Also, 702 people arrested for DWI and 13 people were killed in vehicle crashes. In 2013, a third (31 percent) of all crash fatalities in the United States involved drunk driving.
For those you enjoy the holidays with a drink, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department has a message: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”.
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Police remind you to never get behind the wheel, if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Don’t assume that you will know whether you can safely drive or not at the end of the night. If you’re hosting a party, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate a sober driver, always offer alcohol-free beverages, and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver. If one plans on drinking at the holiday party or at a restaurant, he suggests they hand the keys over to a sober friend, or take a taxi or public transportation.
