Watertown Police Cracking Down on Drunken Driving During the Holidays

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

As you celebrate the holiday season enjoying traditions, food, family and fun, please be reminded that the Watertown Police Department will increase enforcement from Dec. 14, 2012 to Jan. 1, 2013, arresting anyone caught driving drunk.

The Watertown Police Department will join more than 48 local law enforcement agencies and the Massachusetts State Police through the New Year as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, funded by a federal grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division.

Massachusetts saw 314 fatalities in traffic crashes in 2010, of which 39 percent (124 crashes), involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, according to NHTSA.

“Many people will be out enjoying themselves during this busy holiday season, and we want everyone to be safe on the roadways.” said Sgt. David Sampson. “We will stepup enforcement to catch and arrest impaired drivers.”

We recommend these tips for a safe holiday season:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
• If you’ve been drinking, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact law enforcement;
• And remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get home safely.

For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety