The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes a surge in travel and festivities—but also a spike in dangers on the road due to drunk driving. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is sounding the alarm and urging residents to think ahead before indulging in holiday cheer. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, almost 5,000 lives were lost in alcohol-related crashes during December from 2018 to 2022, with last year's figures showing a sobering 1,062 fatalities.
December's treacherous combination of increased travel, adverse weather, and alcohol consumption at holiday gatherings heightens the risk of deadly incidents. In a statement made by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office news release, Chief Deputy of Law Enforcement Carey Kaer made it clear, "Driving is a privilege, not a right." Chief Deputy of Law Enforcement Carey Kaer added, "We want everyone in our community to enjoy a safe and happy holiday season, and that means making responsible choices—especially when it comes to drinking and driving."
The Sheriff's Office is not alone in its efforts to combat impaired driving. They will participate in Operation Sober Drive ‘25 from the eve of New Year's right through to January 5th. The initiative, joined by several other law enforcement agencies, will focus on enhancing safe driving behaviors. Targeting the Fatal-5 driving behaviors which include speed, occupant safety, lane usage, impaired driving, and distracted driving, the mission is clear: to prevent serious or fatal accidents on the roads during this high-risk period.
