Drive Sober, Holiday Patrols Begin

'Tis the season to be merry, but sober when driving, local and state law enforcement officials say. To make sure motorists are safe, they'll be conducting traffic law enforcement operations on local streets and roads and state highways.

Lt. Mark Camp said his department will patrol shopping areas "very closely" as well as conduct road checks throughout the city.

On county roads, deputies have already begun concentrated patrols and road blocks, during what they call a "potentially dangerous time of year to be on the roadways."

In their traditional partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, troopers will be out in full force cracking down on drunk and impaired drivers, according to a press release issued by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

Despite an 11 percent decrease in impaired driving fatalities across the state in 2010, motorists continue to take too many risks when it comes to drinking and driving, state officials say.

From Dec. 16 to Jan. 2, police officers, deputies and state troopers across Georgia are participating in the annual Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over campaign.

The zero-tolerance campaign reminds motorists of the legal limit—a blood alcohol concentration of .08. Drivers with that or higher will be arrested and will go to jail, officials say.

“The message is short and sweet,” GOHS Director Harris Blackwood said in the press release. “Drive sober or you’ll get pulled over. Drinking alcohol and driving is no present for anyone so if you plan to consume alcohol, you better plan for a sober driver to get you home safely.”

In December two years ago, 753 people across the country were killed in crashes involving drivers or motorcyclists with a BAC of .08 or higher.

“It’s going to be hard to spread holiday cheer if you’re stuck behind bars for a completely avoidable offense,” Blackwood added. “Don’t let your holiday season end in arrest, or worse, death. It doesn’t matter if you’re buzzed, had one too many or way too many. It’s just not worth the risk.”

These simple recommendations will ensure you have a safe and sober holiday season:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your keys at home;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
• If you see know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take that person’s keys and help him or her make other arrangements to get home safely.

“Whether you’re going over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house or down the street to join a neighbor for holiday festivities, driving impaired is a gift nobody wants,” Blackwood said.

For those who may have had one too many, contact one of two local cab companies to get home safely.