Annual Sober Driving Enforcement Underway

More Enforcement and PSAs

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has begun its yearly Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, with the goal of reminding drivers to refrain from operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol.  The campaign includes high-visibility enforcement – we can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence on the highways and roads starting December 18th and continuing through New Year’s Day.  The annual campaign was kicked off with a virtual event in light of the pandemic.

The 2020 holiday season’s enforcement campaign against impaired driving will include a $9.5 million nationwide advertising campaign, which began on December 16 and will run through January 1, 2021.  The public service announcements include versions in both English and Spanish.

Good News From Last Year

There is good news on the impaired driving front.  Last year, fatalities related to drivers impaired by alcohol decreased by just over five percent – the weeks leading up to Christmas 2019 and New Year’s Day 2020 saw 210 fatalities related to car crashes caused by alcohol-impaired-driving.  This represents the lowest number of fatalities since 1982 when the NHTSA began reporting on such data. 

Unfortunately, last year’s progress is threatened by the change in behaviors and driving patterns that have been observed during the stay-at-home orders and national public health emergency.  There have been fewer drivers on the road, but those who have remained have been engaging in riskier behaviors, including driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to an October report issued by the NHTSA.

There Are Many Ways to Become Impaired

Operating a vehicle while impaired by any substance – drugs or alcohol – is illegal in every state as well as the District of Columbia.  This holds true even if the substance is legal or prescribed – what matters is the impairment of the driver.  In states that have legalized marijuana, it continues to be against the law to drive under its influence.  Even over-the-counter medications can impair a person’s ability to drive, and again – that is the determining factor in the legality of operating a vehicle.

The outgoing United States Transportation Secretary commented that there is no excuse for impaired driving and a multitude of reasons to avoid it, including the lives of the passengers in your car.  

Holiday Season 2020 – Time Will Tell

Not only is there no excuse, but it is easier than ever to not put yourself in a situation where it is an option, with the plethora of safe ride alternatives.   Not to mention, much of California is under a Stay-at-Home Order through the holidays, so that may further reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents in our state this year.  Although, as mentioned above, there is some evidence that many of those who remain on the roads for non-essential travel exhibit risky and negligent behavior.  Only time and statistics will tell how Drive Sober: Holiday Season 2020 turns out.

Watch the YouTube video.  Stevie Wonder once wrote a song about the dangers of impaired driving.  Enjoy his single “Don’t Drive Drunk.”

Natomas Personal Injury Lawyer

Hello.  Thanks for reading.  I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Natomas, California.  There are many dangers on the highways and roads of Northern California, impaired driving being one of them.  While you can control your own behavior, we are at the mercy of those with whom we share the roads.  If you have suffered injuries caused by a drunk or otherwise impaired driver, time is of the essence – the sooner you speak with a skilled injury lawyer, the better.  If you would like to schedule a no-obligation consultation or simply receive our compassionate, free, and friendly advice, call us at (916) 921-6400.  If you are calling from outside the local area code, please dial our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.  My website also has an option to contact us online.

Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/egg-nog-eggnog-nog-drink-christmas-2999740/

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