RIDOT, Police Cracking Down On Drunken Driving

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and police departments across the state are teaming up to combat drunken driving this holiday season, the department announced Friday. The initiative coincides with the national "Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over Campaign," which aims to cut down on injuries and fatalities on roadways.

Starting Friday and lasting through the end of the year, there will be additional patrols on the lookout for drunken driving across the state, funded by $60,000 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. RIDOT has also earmarked $200,000 for increased advertising and messaging about the dangers of intoxicated driving.

"The Christmas holiday season unfortunately is one of the worst times of the year for fatal impaired driving crashes," Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said. "That’s why each year at this time we pair increased drunk driving patrols with more advertising to connect with people and urge them to not drive drunk. If you see someone about to make the mistake of getting behind the wheel while impaired, step up, intervene, and take the keys. Help that person get home safely."

This holiday season, the department encouraged Rhode Islanders to plan ahead to get home safely after drinking, whether that means designating a sober driver, calling a ride-share or taxi or using public transportation.

There have been 55 fatal crashed on Rhode Island roadways this year. At this time, it has not yet been determined how many were caused by impaired drivers, but the state has historically been above the national average, the department said.

In 2018, 34 percent of fatal crashes in Rhode Island involved an impaired driver. Nationally, 839 people died in crashes that involved an impaired driver last year, the department said, with 285 just in the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.