Police: Increased Patrols in Arlington Throughout the Holidays

ARLINGTON, MA - Arlington Police Department will be increasing police patrols around town during the holiday season to prevent drunk driving fatalities, according to Police Chief Frederick Ryan.

This effort is part of the National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

The initiative is funded through a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division and will run from Dec. 9 through Jan. 2.

Arlington Police will have several cruisers on the lookout for impaired and reckless driving. Residents are reminded never to get behind the wheel if they have been drinking and to never get into a vehicle if the driver is impaired.

“We are thankful to receive a grant that will allow us to increase our patrol efforts, which is especially important during the holiday season in order to discourage drinking and driving,” Chief Ryan said in a statement. “If you plan on drinking, do not get behind the wheel. Plan ahead and arrange to have a designated sober driver, take public transportation, or get a taxi. We want all of our residents to be able to enjoy a safe and happy holiday this year.”

The National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2014 in Massachusetts, 133 people were killed in crashes that involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

If you are charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, you will lose your license and could face jail time, along with incurring the cost of additional fines and expenses, according to police.

The Arlington Police Department is one of 202 local law enforcement agencies running extra patrols through the New Year as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization.

Info: Arlington Police