Drunk and Drugged Driving Ruins the Holidays

Police Aim to Save Lives with ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’

SACRAMENTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–If you’re enjoying the holidays with a drink, the California Office of
Traffic Safety (OTS) has a message for you: Drive Sober or Get
Pulled Over.
Due to the increase in drunk-driving-related fatalities
around the holidays each year and the rise in drug-related DUI, the
California Highway Patrol (CHP) and law enforcement agencies across
California will mount special operations searching for and arresting
alcohol and drug impaired drivers from December 18 to January 3. They
have good reason to – in 2013, 10,076 people were killed in crashes
involving an impaired driver. In December 2013 alone there were 98
people killed and over 1,800 injured in alcohol and drug involved
crashes in California.

“Drivers have received the message, but some still ignore it or think it
doesn’t apply to them,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “Driving under
the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and even prescription
drugs or marijuana can be deadly and dangerous. Don’t take a chance on a
crash or an arrest, designate a sober driver. Or be the sober driver for
your friends and download the helpful mobile app, DDVIP.”

As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement
campaign period, police will be increasing the number of patrols,
setting up checkpoints, and asking media to reach out to all drivers. If
you’re caught driving impaired by alcohol or drugs, you could face jail
time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other DUI
expenses, totaling $10,000 on average. That’s not a small price, and
that doesn’t even count the heftier price you could pay: the price of
your life or someone else’s.

“Do not let the holiday cheer get the best of you. In an effort to keep
the roadways safe for everyone, law enforcement actively searches for
impaired drivers, especially around the holidays. In addition to
increased education and enforcement efforts, we will deploy law
enforcement personnel who are highly trained in detecting both alcohol
and drug impairment,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said.

Law enforcement wish for a quiet, safe holiday period. The hardest part
of their job is making that house call and telling a family that their
loved one is gone because someone chose to drive impaired. That’s why
this December they will show zero tolerance for drunk or drugged drivers
on the road.

The Office of Traffic Safety has developed a special mobile app
especially for the Designated Driver, “DDVIP,” as free download for iOS
and Android devices. Users can “Map a Spot” with their current location
to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of
Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout
California where they will find free offers like non-alcohol drinks,
appetizers and more. And for those who want to imbibe but also make it a
point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft
or Curb – all from one screen.

Contacts

California Office of Traffic Safety
Chris Cochran, 916-509-3063
chris.cochran@ots.ca.gov

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