Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over During the Holidays

The North Reading Police Department has a message for you if you are thinking about drinking and getting behind the wheel this holiday season: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Due to the increase in drunk-driving-related fatalities around the holidays each year, law enforcement agencies across America will be actively searching for and arresting drunk drivers from December 16 to January 1. In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver. In December 2013 alone there were 733 people killed in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Twenty-three of those deaths occurred on Christmas Day.

“It’s time for all drivers to get the message,” said North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy. “Drunk driving is a choice you make, and when you make that choice, people get hurt or die. That’s why we’re joining with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to share the message: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

The safest way to get home, Chief Murphy said, is to drive sober or catch a ride with a sober designated driver. If you plan on drinking at the holiday party or at a restaurant, hand the keys over to someone else – a sober friend, a taxi or public transportation. Or, try NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app, which allows users to call a taxi or a friend by identifying their location so they can be picked up. The app is available at http://ow.ly/RWs3S for Android andhttp://ow.ly/RWs8h for iPhone users.

As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign period, police will be increasing the number of patrols, setting up roadblocks, and using local media to reach out to all drivers. Drinking and driving could result in jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other OUI expenses, totaling $10,000 on average.

Some people think that if they get pulled over for driving drunk, they can just refuse a breath test to avoid the OUI charge.

“Not true,” said Murphy. “In most jurisdictions, refusing a breath test means an automatic arrest, and the loss of your driver’s license on the spot.”

The only way to truly avoid an OUI is to drive sober or designate a sober driver ahead of time. Chief Murphy added that there are other options, such as calling a friend, family member, using public transportation, or calling a taxi. The cost of cab fare is nothing compared to a $10,000 OUI or the cost of someone’s life, and the ‘inconvenience’ of not driving your own car home is nothing compared to the inconvenience of spending the holidays behind bars.

In addition to reminding all drivers to drive sober, Murphy is calling on everyone to be alert. If you see a drunk driver on the road, call the police right away. If someone you know is about to drive after drinking, take their keys and help them get home safely.

“We’ve got to work together to make our roads safer this December and year-round,” he said.

“We can’t stand to see this tragic loss of life again and again,” added Murphy. “The hardest part of the job is making that house call and telling a family that their loved one is gone because someone chose to drink and drive. That’s why, leading up to the holidays, we will show zero tolerance for drunk drivers on the road. Please find a safe and sober ride home.”

North Reading drivers are advised to follow these tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash.
• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation where available.