The following is from the Arlington Police Department.

Arlington Police Join ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

Arlington Police are cautioning partygoers to beware this holiday season.

The Arlington Police Department is participating in the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown to stop impaired drivers and to save lives on the roadways.

Arlington Police Officers will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers and will arrest anyone caught driving while under the influence. Enforcement efforts will include saturated patrols, and aggressive traffic enforcement. The special enforcement initiative will run from Dec. 14, through Jan. 1, 2013.

The holiday season is a particularly dangerous time. During December 2010, 30 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle crashes involved alcohol-impaired drivers. Data also shows that among those alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities, 71 percent occurred when drivers had nearly twice the legal limit blood alcohol concentration of .15 grams per deciliter or higher.

It is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher. Violators could face jail time; loss of driver’s license, and a variety of financial consequences, such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, and lost time at work.

Arlington Police offer three simple steps people can take to stay safe and out of trouble:

1. Plan ahead. If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Designate a sober driver or find another safe way home Drinking alcohol substantially increases the risk of a crash while operating a motor vehicle. 

2. If you are impaired, find another way home. Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

3. Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let them get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.