Give the Gift of Holiday Safety: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

For many, the holidays are a time of giving, and one of the greatest gifts is sober driving.

Once again this holiday season, NHTSA is partnering with law enforcement in your hometown to spread the messages: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different — Drive High Get a DUI. The campaign runs from December 15 through January 1 and aims to educate people about the dangers and consequences of driving drunk and high, and that law enforcement will be stepping up patrols to get impaired drivers off the roads.

In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see officers working together from December 15, 2021, through January 1, 2022, to take drunk drivers off the roads. These expanded efforts to protect against impaired driving will be conducted in a fair and equitable way.

DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER

According to NHTSA, 10,142 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2019, accounting for nearly one-third of traffic crash fatalities. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2015 to 2019 — one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes in 2019. This is why your local police departments are working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death. As you head out to the holiday festivities, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

“It’s so important that drivers act responsibly, and that includes refraining from impaired driving,” said Grants Pass Traffic Enforcement Officer Williams. “The holidays are a special time of year for most, and we really want our community members to enjoy this season. We need commitment from our drivers that they’ll keep the roads free of drunk drivers so that everyone can have a safe holiday. This is a campaign to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it takes lives. Help us put an end to this senseless behavior,” he said. 

During the month of December 2019, 837 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver. During the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods in 2019 alone, there were more drunk-driving-related fatalities (210) than during any other holiday period that year. These fatalities are preventable, and drivers must remember that driving impaired by any substance — alcohol or other drugs — is deadly, illegal, and selfish behavior. 

IF YOU FEEL DIFFERENT, YOU DRIVE DIFFERENT — DRIVE HIGH GET A DUI

Like drunk driving, drug-impaired driving is illegal in all 50 states. In 2017, 45% of the drivers killed in fatal crashes who were tested for drugs, tested positive. Whether the drug is obtained legally or illegally, drug-impaired driving can be deadly for drivers, passengers, and others on the road. 

PLAN AHEAD

RESOURCE TIPS FOR GETTING HOME SAFELY WITHOUT DRIVING

If you have a holiday gathering on your calendar, make smart choices and plan out how you’re going to get home safely once the celebration ends. If you are the designated driver, make a commitment to 100% sobriety to keep you and your friends safe.

If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement immediately. Doing so could save the life of the driver, passenger, and others on the road. And, if you have a friend who is about to drive impaired, take away their keys and help them make arrangements to get home safely — it will be the greatest gift you ever give them. 

As we’ve seen since the public health emergency began, drivers are making riskier decisions when they’re behind the wheel — including drinking and driving.  As the year comes to a close and a new one begins, make it a point to drive sober every day.

The Grants Pass Police Department and NHTSA are reminding citizens of the many resources available to get them home safely. “Drunk driving is not acceptable behavior,” said Grants Pass Police Lieutenant Hattersley. “It is essential to plan a sober ride home before you ever leave for the party. There are too many resources to get you home safely. There are just no excuses for drunk driving,” he said. 

Understand the Risks

Nationally, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah, where the limit is .05 g/dL. And the costs can be financial, too: If you’re caught drinking and driving, you could face jail time, lose your driver’s license and your vehicle, and pay up to $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, higher insurance rates, and lost wages. 

If you’re the designated driver, make sure you keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers. Stay hydrated with water and other non-alcoholic beverages. Support other designated drivers, too. It can be a long night, but people are counting on you, not to mention the other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the streets. Take the role of a designated driver seriously — people are relying on you.

Celebrate with a Plan

The Grants Pass Police Department recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:

  • Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. 
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact The Police Department or the Oregon State Police.
  • Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

For more information about the 2021 Holiday Season Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

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