Napa Police Take Part In 'Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over' Campaign

NAPA, CA — The Napa Police Department announced that from Dec. 14 through New Year's Day, additional officers will be on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The extra enforcement effort in Napa is part of a national campaign, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over," with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,654 people were killed in car crashes nationwide in 2020 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver — or one person every 45 minutes.

"The holidays are a special time of year for many, and we want drivers to act responsibly," Napa police Sgt. Aaron Medina said in a news release. "This enforcement period allows us to get the message out that driving impaired is an illegal, senseless behavior that takes lives."

Napa Police Department encourages everyone to stay in for the night or have a "go safely" game plan by scheduling a ride or designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol. Impaired driving is not just from alcohol, police said. Marijuana, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs may also impair. Police encouraged drivers to do their research and understand how certain drugs may affect their driving ability.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.