SCDPS Announces Holiday Sober Or Slammer Campaign

COLUMBIA – In the week leading up to Christmas and continuing through New Year’s Day, state and local law enforcement agencies will step up efforts to reduce drunk driving in South Carolina.

The enforcement blitz – the Christmas/New Year’s Sober or Slammer! DUI crackdown campaign – is spearheaded by the SC Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and runs December 16 through January 2, 2012. The goal is to curb the number of crashes and fatalities caused by motorists driving while impaired during the holiday season.

“Unfortunately, too many people still consider drunk driving a risk worth taking,” SCDPS Director Leroy Smith said. “These people wrongly assume driving under the influence is acceptable behavior and no one gets hurt. The reality is that drunk drivers put themselves and innocent people at risk.”

Brittany Moody became a victim of a DUI crash one night in December 2010. Moody was headed home when a drunk driver crossed the center line into the path of her car. The drunk driver died. Moody survived, but suffers from injuries sustained in the wreck.

“People make a choice to drink and drive,” said the 22-year-old Chester resident. “Victims are never given a choice.”

Protecting motorists from someone’s irresponsible choice was paramount last month in a high-profile incident involving the SC Highway Patrol (SCHP) that illustrated how the public can assist law enforcement in ensuring safety for everyone on the road.

“The SC Highway Patrol strongly urges the public to get involved in keeping an eye out for impaired drivers and use *HP (*47) if they suspect a drunk driver,” said Lt. Col. Mike Oliver, Interim SCHP Commander. “We recently saw a great example of this in action when multiple motorists called to report a wrong-way driver on the interstate and helped keep us informed until troopers could reach the scene. The public’s eyes and ears are critical to safer roadways – especially during the busy holiday travel season.” 

To complement its enforcement efforts, SCDPS launched a new holiday campaign that uses the acronym SANTA to encourage celebrants – particularly for those patronizing restaurants and bars – to designate alcohol-free drivers. The campaign, “Be a SANTA! A Sober All Night Totally Awesome Designated Driver,” started December 1 and includes a TV ad and partnership with the SC Hospitality Association. (The campaign is a pilot in the Columbia area.)

Overall, traffic fatalities are up this year compared to last, due partially to people driving while impaired. Based on recent crash data, SCDPS’ Office of Highway Safety estimates more than 40 percent of traffic deaths involved a drunk driver this year.

“How many people would be alive today were it not for a drunk driver’s irresponsible and selfish actions,” Smith said. “That’s why the Sober or Slammer! message is so vital. If drunk drivers insist on breaking the law while putting others in danger, they need to be prepared for the legal and personal consequences of their reckless behavior, including a DUI arrest.”

Aside from a criminal charge, A DUI arrest can carry a huge financial burden. The following are just a few of the average costs for a first offense DUI:

• Motor vehicle insurance fees: The cost of insurance typically doubles for at least the first three years after a DUI conviction. For the average driver in South Carolina, the cost could be a total increase of about $3,000.
• Court fees: The fines for a DUI in South Carolina are a minimum of $1,000, but can be up to $2,000.
• Attorney fees: According to attorneys throughout the state, $3,500 is the average cost to fight a first offense DUI.
• Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP): Drivers charged with DUI in South Carolina are required to go through the ADSAP program. The minimum cost for ADSAP is $500; additional fees could be as high as $2,500.
• Bail bondsman: Bail bondsmen charge a maximum of 15 percent of the fine. For a DUI, that equates to at least $150.
• Vehicle towing: Having the vehicle towed after a DUI arrest generally costs about $150.
• License reinstatement fee: The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles charges a $100 license reinstatement fee.

Costs for subsequent offenses or a felony DUI charge would be higher. Other potential DUI costs include loss of employment (due to the DUI charge itself or not having a license to get to work), time off from work fighting the charges, increases in life insurance premiums and/or losing a professional license.

SCDPS’ Office of Highway Safety will air a two-part TV commercial that depicts the consequences of driving impaired. The two 60-second spots, created by Fisher Communications Inc., also aired during the Labor Day DUI enforcement blitz and feature a drunk driver who hits a pedestrian.

The SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will allow SCDPS to use its variable message boards for the Christmas/New Year’s Sober or Slammer! DUI crackdown campaign. SCDOT will display “Statewide DUI Crackdown in Progress” on the overhead message boards and “DUI Crackdown” on the portable message boards from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. December 16-17, 22-24 and 29-31 and January 1-2. (The DUI crackdown message will be pre-empted for any real-time traffic or Amber Alert messages.)

SCDPS’ Sober or Slammer! campaign is part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown coordinated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The national effort includes state and local law enforcement agencies across the country. The campaign combines high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising and publicity.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, Office of Highway Safety, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, the Office of Justice Programs and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.