Drunk and Drugged Driving Ruins the Holidays

Bay Area Law Enforcement Aims to Save Lives With ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’

SAN FRANCISCO -- December 21, 2015:If you’re enjoying the holidays with a drink, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) brought this important message to the Bay Area today: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and even prescription drugs or marijuana can be deadly and dangerous. Don’t take a chance on a crash or an arrest, designate a sober driver.”

At a press conference at Treasure Island this morning, NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind stressed how alcohol impaired crashes and the tragedies that can follow them should not be accepted as an inevitable part of life.

“In the time it takes to watch a two-hour movie, two or more lives will be lost. Drunk driving doesn’t just happen. It’s a decision people make. A decision to break the law can bring with it fatal consequences,” said Rosekind. “We’re proud to be working with law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area and across the country to protect the public and get drunk drivers off our roads.”

Due to the increase in drunk-driving-related fatalities around the holidays each year and the rise in drug-related DUI, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and law enforcement agencies across California will mount special operations searching for and arresting alcohol and drug impaired drivers through January 3. They have good reason to – in 2013, 10,076 people were killed in crashes involving an impaired driver. In December 2013 alone, there were 98 people killed and over 1,800 injured in alcohol and drug involved crashes in California.

“Drivers have received the message, but some still ignore it or think it doesn’t apply to them,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and even prescription drugs or marijuana can be deadly and dangerous. Don’t take a chance on a crash or an arrest, designate a sober driver.”

As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign period, police will be increasing the number of patrols, setting up checkpoints, and asking media to reach out to all drivers. If you’re caught driving impaired by alcohol or drugs, you could face jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other DUI expenses, totaling $10,000 on average. That’s not a small price, and that doesn’t even count the heftier price you could pay: the price of your life or someone else’s.

The Office of Traffic Safety has developed a special mobile app especially for the Designated Driver, “DDVIP,” as free download for iOS and Android devices. Users can “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California where they will find free offers like non-alcohol drinks, appetizers and more. And for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.