COAL TOWNSHIP - To help save lives this holiday season, The North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program is launching a special "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" crackdown to stop impaired drivers and to save lives on the roadways.
Northumberland County police officers said its Northumberland County coordinator, Coal Township Police Officer Edward Purcell, will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired. Enforcement efforts will include sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols.
The special enforcement crackdown began Wednesday and will run through Jan. 1.
"Lots of folks will be out during this busy holiday season, enjoying themselves and the holiday festivities, and we want everyone to be safe on our roadways," said Purcell. "That's why we will be stepping up enforcement to catch and arrest impaired drivers. Please be forewarned. If you are caught drinking and driving impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses."
During 2010, more than 10,000 people were killed nationwide in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving an impaired driver.
The holiday season is a particularly dangerous time. During December 2010, 30 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved alcohol-impaired drivers. Data also shows that among those alcohol impaired-driving fatalities, 71 percent occurred when drivers had nearly twice the legal limit blood alcohol concentration of .15 grams per deciliter or higher.
"No one ever thinks that their holiday celebration will end in jail, or worse in a hospital or the morgue," Purcell said. "But for those who include alcohol in their celebrations and then get behind the wheel, this is often the case.
According to Purcell, violators face jail time, loss of their driver license, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work and the potential loss of a job.
Purcell said there are three simple steps people can take to stay safe and out of trouble:
- Plan ahead. If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Designate a sober driver or find another safe way home. One too many drinks increases the risk of a crash while driving a motor vehicle.
- If you are impaired, find another way home. Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transporation.
- Be responsible. If someone you know is driving, do not let them get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone's life, and inaction could cost a life.
"We want everyone to enjoy their holidays, but we also want our roadways to be safe," said Purcell. "We will be out in force to help save lives, and we are not going to tolerate impaired driving. So remember, 'drive sober or get pulled over.' We will be watching."
For more information, visit the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Campaign Headquarters at www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober.