Police Issue to Holiday Drivers: Stay Sober or You Will Be Arrested

As far as Woburn police officers are concerned, drivers have two options. Drive sober or be pulled over.

This holiday season, officers are going to be out on the streets looking for impaired drivers. The increased police presences will be due to the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, which was funded by a federal grant.

According to a Woburn Police Department press release, the grant was administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division.

Through the program, officers will be out in full force particularly from now until New Year’s Day to arrest anyone found to be driving impaired.

“The December holiday season is the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ and we are going to keep our roads safe for travelers heading to visit friends and family,” said Woburn Police Lt. Chris Wackrow. “This holiday, we will show zero tolerance for those driving under the influence on the road. If you choose to drive drunk, we will see you, we will stop you, and you will be arrested.”

Police data shows that the holiday season is a particularly deadly time on the roads because of the number of impaired drivers. According to police, 114 people were killed in crashes that involved drivers with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher in 2011. 

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact law enforcement.
• And remember, Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over. If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get home safely. 

“There is no holiday cheer behind the bars of a jail cell,” said Wackrow. “Don’t let your 2013 holiday season end in an arrest or worse – death or injury. Remember, whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk.”