December Lowest Month for Hingham Drunk Driving Arrests

Despite a slight overall increase in drunk driving arrests by Hingham police last year, December came out as the best month of 2013, featuring only two OUI-related arrests.

This was despite a state grant that boosted drunk driving patrols in Hingham. Those patrols led to 113 traffic stops during peak times in December, but led to no impaired driving arrests, Sgt. Steven Dearth said in a statement.

The two drunk driving incidents included one based on a traffic stop and one resulting from a single car crash with no injuries.

Dearth credited the positive December news, at least in part, to the department's designated driver program “Do It Right, Win A Night!” This year, 202 people took the pledge, down from 233 last holiday season.

A Hingham man was randomly selected as the winner of the free limo night out as part of the onliine pledge.

Ian Hetherington, will receive the free use of an 8-10 passenger limo for a night. The limo use was donated by A Plus Coach, Inc. of Hingham.

The pledge also provided some feedback for police, Dearth said. When taking the pledge, people were asked three questions:

1) If they have been a designated driver within the last 3 years (95% said yes)

2) If they have used a designated driver within the last 3 years (72% said 
yes)

3) Where might they use a designated driver, with the options of choosing one of the 27 Hingham establishments, an out of town establishment or at a private home function or event (64% said a private home or out of town establishment).

December showed a steady decline in the number of drunk driving incidents in Hingham, with 5 in 2010, 4, in 2011, 3, in 2012 and 2 in 2013.

One factor may be the pledge is part of the overall education and awareness campaign Hingham Police use to raise awareness of designated drivers, Dearth said.

Another, component is the annual Designated Driver Program offered in Hingham with all 27 restaurants in Hingham voluntarily participating. The program is renewed in November, just before Thanksgiving. 

The publicity around this program, including its 10th kick-off and participation by three nearby communities, may also be a factor.

Dearth said that police know the effort to prevent tragedies by addressing drunk driving must remain a consistent effort.

The overall numbers of drivers charged with operating under the influence by Hingham Police increased slightly in 2013 (75 in 2012 to 79 in 2013).