Use sober designated drivers this holiday season
As family and friends reunited this holiday season, the Safe and Sober Foundation, the Department of Public Safety and local government and private agencies want you to know that when You Drink and Drive, You lose.
Law enforcers will be out to prevent impaired driving by setting up patrols and sobriety checkpoints. DPS wants the public to know that when they drive after drinking or use drugs, they will be caught, arrested and prosecuted. Not only this is an embarrassing situation, but it is also expensive; the cost for defense and potentials fines can be thousands of dollars and one may even lose a car.
The holidays are among the deadliest times of the year because of impaired driving, which is why December is designated as National Drunk and Drugged (3D) Prevention Month. National Holiday Lifesavers Weekend, scheduled for Dec. 15-17, is a featured 3D Month activity where law enforcement targets drunk and drugged drivers. The weekend kicks off with Lights On for Life Day on Dec. 15. On this day, motorists can express support by driving with their headlights on during daylight hours to commemorate those people who have died as a result of impaired driving crashes.
The statistics are alarming. In 1998, eight people lost their lives in auto related crashes, five of them involved alcohol. In 1999, two died as a result of impaired driving. This year, three were killed, including an infant, due to drunk and drugged driving.
Many people simply do not realize the consequences of driving after drinking or taking drugs, even some prescription or over the counter medications.
DPS has these tips to avoid incidents resulting from drunk and drugged driving:
• Take a cab
• Have a sober designate driver, and
• Spend the night where you are.
“Impaired driving has a devastating effect on our community,” said Joey Cruz, chair of the 3D Committee. “The vigilant efforts of the Safe and Sober Foundation and its partners will help make roads and highways safe from those irresponsible individuals that make the fatal decision to drive after drinking or using drugs.”
Fore more information on how you can make a difference and save lives, please contact Rose Ada at 664-9001/2.
