Extra local police are on duty looking out for impaired drivers over holidays

The New Albany Police Department are participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Christmas-New Year’s blitz campaign. The campaign highlights a constant police presence searching for drunk drivers as a way of deterring people from drinking and driving.

During the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods in 2018 alone, there were more drunk-driving-related fatalities than during any other holiday period that year. Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations [BACs] at or above .08).

Despite the fact that it’s illegal to drive when impaired by alcohol, in 2018, one person was killed every 50 minutes by a drunk driver on our nation’s roads.

Men are more likely than women to be driving drunk in fatal crashes. In 2018, 21 percent of males were driving drunk in these crashes, compared to 14 percent of females.

On average, a DUI can set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing, and more.

The dates for high visibility enforcement are Dec. 18 until Jan. 1.

They will have extra patrol officers working this campaign at various times.

If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. If it is your turn to be the designated driver, take that role seriously and do not consume alcohol, not even one drink.

Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.