Huntington Beach Police Department urges everyone to plan ahead this holiday season: be safe and drive sober!

This post was originally published on this site

Millions of people will be traveling to visit friends and family over the holidays. The Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) encourages everyone to celebrate safely and have a holiday game plan that includes a designated sober driver.

During the pre-Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, November 28, 2022, through December 13, 2022, the HBPD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holidays and be safe,” said HBPD Sergeant Mike Thomas. “If you plan to go out and celebrate, make sure you plan ahead and find a safe, sober ride home because driving impaired should never be an option.”

Drunk driving is a daily problem on our nation’s roads, but it’s more prevalent during the holidays. During the 2016-2020 December months, more than 4,400 people were killed in drunk-driving-related crashes.

The HBPD reminds drivers that a “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.

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

The article above was released by the Huntington Beach Police Department