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Have a plan to get home safely
This holiday season will be a bit different than usual, but the need for safety remains.
As it does every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is partnering with local law enforcement to remind everyone to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
The Edmond Police Department encourages having a plan on how to get home safely. This could include having a designated driver or utilizing a ride sharing service such as Uber.
Although drunk driving is a year-round issue, it is more common during the holidays. According to the NHTSA, there were 285 drunk-driving-related deaths in the United States in 2018. That year as a whole saw 10,511 such deaths, which was one-third of the nation’s crash fatalities.
Similarly, driving while under the influence of drugs is illegal in all 50 states, even if the drug is acquired legally. According to the NHTSA, 45 percent of drivers killed in fatal crashes who were tested for drugs, tested positive in 2017.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, large gatherings should be avoided. But anyone who does plan on celebrating the holidays should make sure to have a plan to get home safely. As the NHTSA website says, sober driving is one of the greatest gifts.