Police: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

To avoid the cheerful festivities of the holidays turning to a night behind bars or worse, police are urging drivers to arrange sober transportation this season.

New York State Police and local law enforcement across the state will participate in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign Dec. 18-Jan. 1 with increased checkpoints and patrols, according to a news release.

During last year’s crackdown, State Police issued more than 49,000 tickets; more than 17,000 for speeding; 1,730 for distracted driving and 697 for the Move Over Law, which requires cars move aside and exercise caution for emergency vehicles. There were also 702 people arrested for DWI and 13 people killed in vehicle crashes, the news release states.

During the 2013 holiday period, 1,180 people nationwide were killed on the road, with almost a third of the fatalities related to drunk driving, according to the release. On Christmas Day that year, 23 people were killed by drunk drivers.

“‘Traffic safety will be a top priority this holiday season,’” said New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico in the release. “If you’re celebrating, please do so responsibly. Don’t drink and drive, and if you are drinking, designate a sober driver or plan ahead for a ride home. Impaired drivers cause needless deaths and injuries. Have a plan and you could save a life, maybe even your own.’”

To keep our roads safer this holiday season, the New York State Police, the GTSC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offer these tips:

· Plan a safe way home before the celebrating begins

· Before drinking, designate a sober driver

· If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation

· Use your community’s sober ride program

· If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement

· If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.