Watertown Police Awarded Grant To Reduce Impaired Driving

WATERTOWN, MA — Watertown police will have extra patrols out this holiday season to spot and stop impaired drivers. The department received a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research to pay for the patrols. Watertown Police will join other departments across the state and the State Police in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization.

“When an impaired driver is behind the wheel, everyone is at risk – passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists sharing the road,” said Chief Michael Lawn of the Watertown Police Department. “These funds will increase the number of impaired driving patrols over the holidays. Regardless of the type or level of impairment, if a driver is operating the vehicle in a dangerous manner, they will be stopped.”

“Arranging for a sober ride home before celebrating should be a part of everyone’s plans this holiday season,” said Jeff Larason, Director of the OGR Highway Safety Division. “We want all drivers to recognize the responsibility they have to drive safely and to avoid getting behind the wheel if they’re impaired. Remember - If you feel different, you drive different.”

According to Massachusetts data, between 2013 and 2017, marijuana was the most prevalent drug found in drivers involved in fatal crashes. Eleven percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes were found with both alcohol and drugs in their system and 78 percent of impaired drivers in fatal crashes were men.

The numbers are decreasing, From 2016 to 2017, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities decreased by 19 percent from 148 to 120.

According to national data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. On average, more than 10,000 people have died each year (2013 to 2017) in drunk-driving crashes. To put it in perspective, that’s equal to about 20 jumbo jets crashing each year, with no survivors.