Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign a Success for Bedford Police

BEDFORD, MA - Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno recently announced the results of the department’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

Multiple motor vehicle stops and citations were made this holiday season during the campaign held between Dec. 9 and Jan. 2.

The Bedford Police Department used a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division to fund an increase in patrols to prevent drunk driving related fatalities during the holiday season.

“Our department was lucky to receive this grant to amp up patrols during this past holiday season, which is when we typically see an increase in drunk driving and reckless driving,” Chief Bongiorno said in a press release issued late last month. “I hope that our increased presence in town has encouraged folks to make good decisions while operating their vehicles in order to keep our community as safe as possible.”

Bedford Police had several officers out targeting impaired and reckless driving. Out of 29 total stops during this mobilization, one person was arrested for OUI and Bedford Police recovered a stolen motor vehicle.

In addition, officers issued the following, according to police:

• One seat belt citation
• Eighteen speeding citations
• Four written warnings for speeding
• One citation for texting while driving
• Three other written warnings
• Seven other citations

The Bedford Police Department was one of 202 local law enforcement agencies, along with the Massachusetts State Police, running extra patrols through the New Year as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization.