The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is calling on the public to help reduce DUIs in support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign by being responsible and never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Law enforcement agencies in California will be working with their communities during the campaign from August 18 to September 4 to stop impaired driving.
If you choose to drink alcohol, remember to have a plan to get you or your loved ones home safely whether you’re driving, riding, or hosting:
- Before drinking, plan a safe and sober ride home.
- Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
- If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure all your guests have a sober ride home.
- If you see an impaired driver, call 911. And always wear your seat belt — it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
“ABC will work with its traffic safety partners and encourage the public to help prevent impaired driving by designating a sober driver,” said ABC Chief Deputy Director Joseph McCullough.
NHTSA estimates that drunk driving accounted for 31% of traffic crash fatalities in 2021. During the same year, 13,384 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 39 minutes, up from 2020, when one person was killed every 45 minutes in an impaired-driving crash in the United States.
Not only is driving drunk incredibly dangerous, but there are tough laws in place to try and prevent drunk driving. According to the NHTSA’s website: “Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.”
About the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is the agency of the government of the state of California charged with the regulation of alcoholic beverages. ABC’s mission is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of California through licensing, education, and enforcement. ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.
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View Comments (1)
Erika,
.
Thank you for this important reminder. There is no excuse for driving drunk especially in this day and age of uber ridesharing.