CLEARFIELD – Pennsylvania State and local police will conduct increased DUI enforcement during the holiday in an effort to keep drunk drivers off the roads, especially during the prime season for holiday parties.
During the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods last year, there were 510 alcohol-related crashes and 14 people were killed. In 2005, alcohol-related crashes on Pennsylvania roads claimed 579 lives.
PennDOT along with Pennsylvania State and Local Police urge drivers to be safe and offer these tips:
• Plan ahead. Before consuming any alcohol, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
• If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member for a safe ride home;
• Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement To report underage drinking, call 1-888-UNDER-21;
• Wearing your seat belt or using protective gear on your motorcycle is your best defense against an impaired driver.
Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Even one drink can seriously impair judgment and could lead to a crash. So, whether attending a party or visiting with friends or family, the right decision this holiday season is not to drink and drive.
PennDOT annually invests $2.8 million in DUI enforcement, which includes funding for approximately 540 sobriety checkpoints around the state. The sobriety checkpoints represent 470 police departments and all State Police Troops. For more information, visit www.stopimpaireddriving.org.