DMV-area police departments are stepping up their DUI enforcement over the Christmas holiday, warning residents and visitors to stay off the road if they've been drinking.
Christmas is a time of year for friends and family to get together and celebrate. Unfortunately, it is also the time of year when people seem to drive drunk the most as well. Around Christmas, it is estimated that four in every 10 traffic fatalities is caused by drunk driving. On New Years, that percentage jumps all the way up to 48 percent. The week between Christmas and New Years has become one of the most heavily enforced weeks in the entire year, with police across the country putting in overtime to take drunk drivers off the roads. The DMV will not be an exception this year. The regional DUI/DWI enforcement push is part of the annual nationwide Safe December campaign. While area police departments tend to give the public forewarning on DUI checkpoints throughout the year, Christmas tends to be treated differently. Departments don't publicize where checkpoints will be and seldom announce DUI enforcement pushes ahead of time, other than the typical "Don't Drink and Drive" press releases.
Police departments in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. are warning residents and visitors alike not to get behind the wheel if they have been drinking.
“We understand people are going to go out and drink, enjoy the holidays, and be festive,” Fairfax County Police McLean District Captain John Trance explained. “We just ask people to be smart and wise and use the resources available ... and not have a police officer pick them up and give them a ride, not to home but to jail.”
By all means, have a good time and drink with family and friends over the Christmas holiday. But don't drink and drive.
Remember that an Uber, Lyft, or cab will always be cheaper than a DUI.
DMV-area police departments will be out in force over the holiday weekend, pulling people over if they suspect drunk driving.
Don't be one of them.
