Drive sober or get pulled over campaign underway

VERMONT- The holiday season is a time of giving, sharing time with friends and family, reflecting on the past year, and looking forward to the promises of the upcoming year.  Regrettably it is also a time when far too many people make a decision to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of both.  As of December 11, there have been 54 fatal crashes on Vermont’s roadways that have caused 61 people to lose their lives.  65% of those people were not wearing a seatbelt and 36% of the fatal crashes involved an impaired driver.  This is an unacceptable number as no one should have to bear the pain of losing a loved one during the holiday season.
That is why the Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program is partnering with NHTSA, state, county, and local police to participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Holiday Season Campaign.  The campaign will run through Tuesday January 1.  All across Vermont, law enforcement agencies will be out on the interstates, secondary roads, and back roads, aggressively enforcing Vermont’s impaired driving, speeding, seatbelt, and distracted driving laws.  If a driver chooses to drive impaired there is a good chance that they will be arrested, charged with DUI, and have their license suspended.  For the sake of all, do not take that chance.
There are steps that can be  taken to avoid driving impaired and causing a tragedy.
Always plan how to get home safely before going out.
If planning to drink, designate a sober driver ahead of time.   Then make sure that person does their job and stays sober.
When impaired, do not drive. Call for a taxi or ride service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
Do not let friends drive drunk.  Take their keys, take them home, or help them arrange a safe way home.
When witnessing an impaired driver on the road, call the police.  That call could save a life.
This holiday season and always, please slow down, wear a seatbelt, put the phone down, and do not drive impaired.  Be safe while traveling on Vermont’s roadways during the holidays.  Law enforcement agencies remind all drivers to plan ahead, play it safe, and  eliminate the risk of a DUI.