As the winter holidays approach, the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and local law enforcement are actively campaigning against impaired driving, embodied by the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative running from last Wednesday, through January 1, 2025. According to NOPD News, law enforcement will increase visibility on roads to curb the incidence of alcohol-related incidents which, regrettably, witness a spike during this festive time of year.
In light of the alarming rise in festive impaired driving fatalities – numbering 4,759 deaths in December from 2018 to 2022 and 1,062 casualties in December 2022 alone, the campaign's goal is to thwart the harrowing patterns of past holiday seasons where young males and particularly drivers between the ages 21-34 were disproportionately represented in fatal traffic crashes involving alcohol. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told NOPD News, "Drunk driving is deadly and illegal, and it should never be an option for getting home," advocating for responsible celebration and adherence to sober driving practices.
Highlighting the gravity of driving under the influence the NHTSA and local police stress upon the indisputable fact that no holiday merry-making can justify the loss of life and safety, with the gambit of choices available for those who plan to drink, from designated drivers to taxis and rideshare services, it's insistence is on premeditated decisions before impairment skews judgment. NOPD's message, as put forth by Superintendent Kirkpatrick emphasizes, "We want our community to have a joy-filled holiday season, but we want everyone to do so responsibly, and that means refraining from drinking and driving."
For those finding themselves unfit to take the wheel, law enforcement officers suggest handing over their keys to a sober acquaintance, moreover when a friend's sobriety is compromised and they attempt to drive, intervention through positive peer pressure is encouraged — commandeering one's keys and organizing a safe ride home are practical steps which could be life-saving. Residents are urged to play their part too; if they spot an impaired driver, they should contact local law enforcement, this collective vigilance might just prevent potential tragedies.
