Traffic safety advocates deliver holiday message: "Designate before you celebrate"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2024
Traffic safety advocates deliver holiday message: "Designate before you celebrate"
Rhode Island's leading traffic safety advocates today held a joint news conference encouraging Rhode Islanders to make the right decision and plan a sober ride home before celebrating this holiday season.
"Our highway fatalities number eighteen fewer than last year. That means that eighteen people made the right decision," said Peter Alviti, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. "This holiday season, we want every person to make a good decision – and to get home safely."
"This year, the Rhode Island State Police alone have made 944 arrests for impaired driving and are always looking for dangerous drivers on our roads," said Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety. "We have additional patrols on the roads specifically focused on identifying and apprehending individuals driving under the influence. These officers will be strictly enforcing DUI compliance, and as a result, anyone found to be operating a vehicle under the influence will be arrested and face the full legal consequences."
"Planning ahead means deciding how you’ll get home before you raise your glass or partake in celebrations," said Colonel Bradford Connor, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Warwick Chief of Police. "If there’s even a possibility you might drink or use cannabis, make the smart choice and do not drive. Plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, or arranging to stay where you are. The options are there, and it’s up to you to make the responsible choice."
“For many, this time of year brings a season of holiday celebrations, and as drivers plan their outings and road trips, a safe and sober ride should be at the top of the list," said Jillian Young, Director of Public Relations, AAA Northeast. "With safe rides available at our fingertips through rideshare apps or a text to a friend, there's truly no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired."
“The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration with loved ones," said Wesley Pennington, Program Director for MADD RI. "Unfortunately, it's also a dangerous time, with more impaired drivers on the roads. MADD is here to remind you: before you celebrate, designate! Join us in taking the pledge: if you drink, don't drive.”
"The members of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild are not only committed to producing exceptional craft beer but also to being champions of enjoying craft beer responsibly," said Nils Weldy, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild. "We encourage our fellow breweries, tap houses, and beer lovers to actively promote the idea of designating a driver. Let's make this an integral part of our culture—one that emphasizes camaraderie, support, and responsibility."
Background on impaired driving
The month of December has historically been marked by increased risks and fatalities due to impaired driving. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in December 2022, the latest year with available data, 1,062 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes—the highest number since 2007. From 2018 to 2022, the NHTSA recorded over 4,750 deaths in drunk driving crashes during the month of December alone.
The first offense for driving under the influence of liquor or drugs carries several penalties:
- Possible jail sentence of up to one year at the ACI.
- Mandatory license suspension from three to eighteen months.
- Mandatory community service from 10 to 60 hours.
- Fines of not less than $100, nor more than $500.
- Fees can easily reach a few thousand dollars.
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Contact:
Cara Cromwell
(401) 440-0090
cara@cromwellpublicaffairs.com
