CATHEDRAL CITY — The Cathedral City Police Department is reminding everyone who plans to drink to plan on getting a sober ride home.

This holiday season, and every day, the safest way to drive is when you are sober.

To help people get to holiday parties and seasonal travel destinations safely, the Cathedral City Police Department will have extra officers on patrol starting Black Friday (Nov. 29) through New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) looking for drivers who are suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The enforcement efforts are part of a national enforcement campaign to discourage impaired driving from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holidays and being responsible plays a major part in that,” Acting Police Chief Anthony Yoakum said. “The danger is clear so before you head out for a party, make sure you have a safe way to get home.”

Alcohol is not the only thing that affects your driving ability. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.

Drunk driving is a problem on our nation’s roads every day, but it’s more prevalent during the holidays. During the New Year’s and Christmas periods in 2018, there were 285 drunk-driving-related fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These deaths are 100% preventable. Last year, there were 10,511 people killed nationwide in drunk driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third of the yearly driving fatalities. The tragedy of these deaths is felt year-round, but for many, most strongly during the holidays.

So, if you plan on drinking or taking drugs that can impair, play it safe and have a designated sober driver.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

Image Sources

  • Drinking: Pixabay