Authorities looking for drunk drivers this holiday season

This holiday season, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office will look for drunk drivers as part of a special year-end “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving” enforcement mobilization, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

“Beginning Dec. 7, and continuing into the New Year, you will see stepped up enforcement watching closely for anyone who is driving impaired,” said Sheriff Phil Stammitti.

“We want to keep our roads safe for holiday travelers, so we will have zero tolerance for drunk driving.”

With the excitement of holiday parties and celebrations, too many drivers are taking to the roadways after drinking, according to the release.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows any decision to drive while impaired can have serious and even deadly consequences, the release said.

Nationally in 2017, 37,133 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and 29 percent (10,874) died in crashes where the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the limit of .08, according to the release.

“The holidays are a time of joy and reflection, but also a time to use extra caution on the roads,” Stammitti said. “Unfortunately, alcohol at many holiday events contributes to the number of impaired drivers on our roadways.

“Help us spread the message: Even one drink is one drink too many.”

If you feel buzzed, you are already drunk, the release said.

“This ought to be the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ so we will do what it takes to help save lives by keeping our roads safe,” the sheriff said. “If you choose to drive impaired, not only will you risk your safety, and that of others, but you will also face the legal consequences.”

Drunk driving offenders often serve jail time, lose their driver’s license, are charged higher insurance rates and pay dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work, according to the release.

But the ultimate cost of drunk driving is causing a traffic crash that injures or kills, the release said.

This holiday season, the Sheriff’s Office and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are urging drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening.

If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving, and follow these tips to stay safe on the road this holiday season:

• If you’re drinking, plan on not driving. Plan your safe ride home before you start the party.

Designate a sober driver ahead of time.

• If you become intoxicated, do not drive for any reason.

Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation. Try National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s SaferRide mobile app, which allows users to call a taxi or friend and identify their location so they can be picked up.

• The administration’s SAFE Rider mobile app, available on Google Play for Android devices:

( https://play.google.com/ store/apps/details?id=com. nhtsa.SafeRide&hl=en ), and Apple’s iTunes Store for iOS devices: (http://itunes. apple.com/us/app/saferride/id950774008?mt-8).

• If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys, take them home or help them arrange a safe way home.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone’s life.