Foxborough Police Increase Holiday DUI Patrols With State Grant

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The police department was awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Highway Safety Division, which pays for additional patrols during the holidays to make sure people do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The grant is part of a joint effort with state police and other local departments participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over (DSOGPO) campaign. According to Lt. Richard Noonan, the campaign has two parts: education and enforcement.

The education component of the DSOGPO campaign, “Plan ahead. Get a ride,” stresses the importance of finding a sober driver, using public transportation, or a ride-share service while celebrating this holiday season.

“Over the next month, we will have officers on dedicated traffic enforcement patrols focusing on those drivers whom are impaired by alcohol and/or drugs including marijuana”, said Noonan. “Our goal is to remove impaired drivers from the roadways and to prevent a tragedy from occurring.”

Getting caught drunk or impaired by drugs including marijuana behind the wheel is no small matter. Anyone caught faces jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other OUI expenses. These expenses cost the average offender $10,000.

"The cost of cab fare or a ride-share service is nothing compared to a $10,000 OUI, the inconvenience of spending the holidays behind bars, or the cost of someone’s life," Foxborough Police said in a press release.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2017 statistics, 29 percent of all fatal crashes involved a drunk driver.

“Impaired driving is a choice you make, and when you make that choice, people get injured and killed,” said Noonan. “The safest way to get home is to never drink and drive. If you plan on drinking at the holiday party or at a restaurant, take a taxi or public transportation or hand the keys over to a sober friend.”

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