Northwest Arkansas Law Enforcement Agencies To Participate In ‘Drive Sober’ Campaign

Monday, December 9, 2013

Area law enforcement agencies will participate in the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement effort beginning Friday. Increased enforcement will continue through Jan. 1, according to a news release.

Law enforcement officers will watch for drunken drivers to help keep roads safe for holiday travelers.

Statistics show the holiday season is a particularly deadly time due to the increased number of drunken drivers on the roads, according to the news release. Nationally, in the Decembers from 2007 to 2011, there were 4,169 people killed in crashes that involved drivers with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,367 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes across the nation in 2011, and 31 percent of those fatalities occurred in drunken-driving-related crashes.

Officials offer these tips for holiday driving:

If drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.

An individual who has been drinking should not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member.

Be responsible. Do not let that person who has been drinking get behind the wheel.

Anyone observing a drunken driver should contact law enforcement.