Chester County DUI Task Force Mobilizes For Thanksgiving

Police departments across Chester County will be out in numbers cracking down against drunk driving over Thanksgiving.

The Chester County DUI Task Force, composed of departments around the county, urged residents who plan on drinking to find a designated driver or alternative form of transportation instead of driving themselves.

More than 400 traffic deaths occur on Thanksgiving weekend each year, according to statistics from AAA.

“While Thanksgiving Day is a time to share meals with our loved ones, the eve of Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous times for overindulgence in alcohol – not food,” said Jana Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “While we disapprove of and fear drunk drivers on the road, a survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety revealed that far too many drivers aren’t practicing what they preach. There is a big disconnect in our actions and words.”

According to AAA, more than 600,000 Philadelphia area residents plan to travel at least 50 miles or more over the next several days, and nearly 90 percent of those individuals will travel by car.

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