Police urge drivers to be safe and sober over holidays

National ' Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign begins

This holiday season, the Woodland police are reminding the public about the importance of being safe and sober when driving.

While the COVID- 19 pandemic is changing how we celebrate the holidays, the Woodland Police Department is dedicated to keeping the public safe and urges people to stay at home or use a designated sober driver if you plan to drink, according to Sgt. Ted Ruiz.

Continuing through New Year’s Day Woodland police will have officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/ or drugs. The enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, intended to show zero tolerance for drunk driving and keep roads safe.

“2020 has been an exceedingly tough year for everyone,” said Detective John Perez. “During this challenging time, we want everyone to avoid drinking and driving to make it safely through the holiday season.”

Local police remind the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription medications, over- the- counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.

Due to COVID- 19, the state of California is asking residents to avoid large gatherings for the holidays to mitigate the spread of the virus.

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