Durham Enforcing the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' Rule This December

The following post came from a press release.

This holiday season, the Connecticut State Police will be out in force as part of the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign on drunk and drugged driving. Police will be watching for drunk and drugged drivers to help keep Durham and Middlefield roads safe for holiday travelers.

This effective nationwide drunk and drugged driving initiative is sponsored by the Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition, in collaboration with The Connecticut State Police. The Coalition is made up of many community members who focus on keeping Durham and Middlefield youth safe, successful, and drug-free through education, support, and collaboration. This campaign will include high-visibility enforcement and will be supported by national and local paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb drunk and drugged driving in our communities.

The Connecticut State Police will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving under the influence.

Although it is illegal in all 50 States to drive drunk (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. Some are ignoring warnings on prescription medication bottles, taking prescriptions that are not theirs, or using illegal drugs and then getting behind the wheel; which is a dangerous addition to our roadways. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.

"Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more drunk drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Betsy Dean, Director of Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services. “In 2012, 1 out of 8 weekend drivers tested positive for an illicit drug and 10,322 people died in crashes involving drunk drivers. That works out to approximately one drunk driving fatality every 51 minutes.”

In Connecticut, during the 2012 holiday season, a total of 4 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes and 86 DUI arrests were made. Of those fatalities and DUI arrests, 97 percent occurred during early evening and overnight, from 6:00 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.

“Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign reduces drunk and drugged driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make Durham and Middlefield’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday season,” said Dean.

“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel drunk is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does drinking impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.” Sargent Salvatore Calvo of the Connecticut State Police said.

Sargent Calvo noted that being arrested for driving drunk brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Drunk drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. This holiday, we will show zero tolerance for drunk and drugged drivers on the road.” said Sargent Calvo. “Remember, if you choose to drive drunk, we will see you, we will stop you, and you will be arrested. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

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