GOHS enforcing ‘Safe Holiday’ campaign with local law enforcment

As the calendar year winds down, the holiday festivities start up.

To make sure all Georgia motorists stay off Santa’s “naughty” list, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is once again reminding holiday party goer’s to drive sober or have a designated driver ready before you head out to the festivities.

The Safe Holiday campaign, which urges businesses and private party hosts to make the safety of their guests and patrons the reason for the season, involves area bars and restaurants displaying Safe Holiday information, offering a free non-alcoholic drink to designated drivers and informing patrons about safe rides home. The program reaches thousands of Georgia businesses with safe celebration suggestions, as well as safety and legal reminders for partygoers.

“Holidays are about family and festivities,” TEAM Georgia Chairman Ron Fennel said. “We urge drivers to observe safe and sober practices to assure that families may travel to gather safely this holiday season. Distracted or impaired driving often endangers all drivers, passengers and pedestrians. We wish a safe holiday for everyone.”

The reason for the message is all too clear. During the 2017 Christmas travel period in Georgia, there were 15 traffic deaths between Dec. 22 and Dec. 26. Statewide, the state patrol alone investigated 515 traffic crashes that resulted in 129 injuries and 10 fatalities. They also arrested 192 people for driving under the influence.

“We want to keep our roads safe this holiday season and help people understand that the only time they should be behind the wheel is when they are sober,” GOHS Communications Manager Robert Hydrick said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re feeling or acting drunk. You still may be too impaired to drive. So if you’re planning on drinking, plan for a designated driver first.”