Hot Springs police join Cinco De Mayo enforcement effort

The Hot Springs Police Department is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “to spread the message about the dangers” of drunken driving today in conjunction with Cinco De Mayo.

“Cinco De Mayo celebrations in America date back to the country’s founding. While this year’s celebration may continue to look a little different in your hometown, however you celebrate, make sure you and your friends stay safe this Cinco De Mayo by remembering one important piece of advice: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” a news release said.

“We understand people are looking for a reason to celebrate, and we want our community members to enjoy Cinco De Mayo, but we also want to impress upon everyone the importance of planning ahead for a sober driver and get home alive,” HSPD Officer 1st Class Omar Cervantes, the department’s public information officer, said in the release.

“If you’ve been drinking, make the right choice to find a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely. Before you put your keys in the ignition, remind yourself, either Diver Sober or Get Pulled Over,” Cervantes said.

According to NHTSA, 10,142 people were killed in drunken-driving crashes in 2019, an average of one person killed every 52 minutes that year, and more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2015 to 2019.

“This is why the Hot Springs Police Department is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death. As you head out to the festivities, help us spread the word,” Cervantes said.

Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention to their surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle, he said.

Drunken drivers are a “continuing problem on our nation’s roads, especially around days like Cinco De Mayo,” he said. “People need to know they can go out for a night of fun and return home safely by planning ahead to ensure they have a sober driver take them home. Don’t let Cinco De Mayo become an anniversary of a tragic night.”

“If you’re the designated driver, make sure you don’t drink so you can keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers. It can be a long night, but people are counting on you, not to mention the other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the streets. Take the role of designated driver seriously — people are relying on you,” the release said.

For more information about the enforcement campaign, visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.