13 December, 2009

CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Despite recent reductions in fatalities, impaired driving remains one of America’s
deadliest social problems. On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45
minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving related crashes. Most people don’t intend to drive home drunk, but too many find themselves at the end of the night without a sober designated driver. Unfortunately, many of these drivers convince themselves and friends that they are able to drive with the comment, “I’m okay, I’m just buzzed.” Whether you’ve had one drink or ten, if your blood alcohol concentration is over the limit, then you are breaking the law. The MPD reminds motorists that DC has tough drunk driving laws, including a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) standard of .08, zero tolerance for youthful offenders, and penalties that include stiff fines, license revocation and the possibility of jail time, even for first offenders.

Metropolitan Police officers are out in force this holiday season, looking for impaired drivers, speeders and other aggressive or unsafe drivers. The MPD is also throwing its support behind both the designated driver and SoberRide programs this holiday season. Sponsored by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), SoberRide provides holiday revelers with free cab rides home (up to $50) every evening from 10 pm to 6 am, from December 11 through January 1. Individuals may request a cab by calling (800) 200-TAXI (200-8294).

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