Campaign Aims to Curb Drunk Driving During Holidays

With parties and celebrations on the rise during the Christmas season, the S.C. Department of Public Safety is encouraging South Carolinians to choose a designated driver before heading out.

The department launched a campaign called "Be a SANTA! A Sober All Night Totally Awesome Designated Driver" Thursday at Terra, a restaurant in West Columbia.  

Mike Davis, owner and chef at Terra, saw first-hand how dangerous drunk driving can be. One of his employees, Jesse Gamble, died after a drunk driver hit him on his way home from his shift at the restaurant in 2008.

As part of the campaign, Terra and other restaurants in the Columbia area will hand out stickers that say "Be a SANTA" to designated drivers. Some restaurants will offer a free non-alcoholic drink to designated drivers. 

"Obviously we want people to enjoy themselves over the holiday season while they're here at Terra and other restaurants in Columbia, but to do that responsibly," Davis said.

The campaign was developed to compliment enforcement efforts by the highway patrol and safe-ride services offered by taxi companies, Department of Public Safety officials said.

The department also launched ads on digital billboards and a commercial that will run on TV stations in the Columbia area.  

The sticker giveaway and TV ad are part of a pilot program in Columbia that will run through Jan. 1. But department director Leroy Smith said he hopes the campaign will influence adults across the state.

"We encourage responsible adults all over the state to take the keys and be a designated driver for their loved ones during the holidays and all year round," Smith said. "Anybody, anywhere can be a SANTA."