VA Law Enforcement Agencies Join Forces To Prevent Drunk Driving During Holidays

VIRGINIA — A public education campaign and enforcement effort is aiming to deter drunk driving in Virginia during the holiday season.

The campaign, Checkpoint Strikeforce, combines law enforcement with messaging to remind Virginians to make responsible decisions when drinking. A year ago, between Thanksgiving 2020 and New Year’s Day 2021, 14 Virginians lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes.

Across the state, 116 law enforcement agencies will participate in the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign through New Year’s Day. Law enforcement officers will increase the police presence in high-risk areas and establish 55 sobriety checkpoints across the state.

“Keep your family, your community, and yourself safe by not drinking and driving this holiday season,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement Tuesday. “You can always designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use public transportation and rideshare services.”

In 2020, 272 people died in alcohol-related crashes. Since Checkpoint Strikeforce’s inaugural campaign in 2001, alcohol-related crashes have decreased 41.2 percent, fatalities have decreased by 24 percent, and injuries have decreased by half, according to the governor’s office.

SEE ALSO: Free Lyft Rides To Begin For Christmas, New Year's In DC Region

Over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend last month, four people died in traffic crashes, the smallest number of traffic fatalities during the holiday weekend in the past 10 years, according to data released by the Virginia State Police.

Officials are hoping the drunk driving prevention campaign reduces the number of highway deaths during the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

In the D.C. area, the SoberRide program is offering free Lyft rides to keep would-be drunk drivers off the roads. The nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program operates the SoberRide program in partnership with Lyft during the winter holiday season. Based on 2019 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over one third of U.S. traffic deaths around Christmas and New Year's involve drunk drivers.

The 2021 winter holiday program will happen nightly between 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. through Jan. 1, 2022. Riders 21 and older can use the Lyft app and enter the SoberRide code into the promo section to receive a credit up to $15 for a ride.

Meanwhile, the Virginia State Police are working through the holidays as part of Operation CARE, or the Crash Awareness Reduction Effort. CARE is a nationwide, state-sponsored traffic safety program that aims to reduce traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by impaired driving, speeding and failing to use seatbelts.

Along with the increased police presence, Checkpoint Strikeforce is running an advertising campaign called “Act Like It.” The campaign reminds viewers that drinking and driving is irresponsible.

“If you are old enough to drink, act like it. Get a safe ride home,” the ad says.

RELATED: Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic Deaths Decrease In Virginia