For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Dedham Police Remind Residents to Drive Safely During Holiday Travel

DEDHAM — As travelers prepare to hit the road to meet family and friends for Thanksgiving, Chief Michael d’Entremont and the Dedham Police Department remind residents to drive safely.

The most recent nationwide stats available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that a total of 416 people died in traffic crashes during the Thanksgiving Holiday period in 2012, and 42 percent of those deaths were caused by crashes involving a drunken driver.

“We know this is one of the busiest times of year to travel, but please be patient, take your time and never get behind the wheel if you are impaired,” Chief d’Entremont said. “We will be out strictly enforcing the rules of the road. Plan ahead and always put safety first to ensure you have a happy holiday.”

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 40 percent of traffic fatalities that occur during the holidays involve a driver who is alcohol-impaired, compared to 31 percent for the rest of the year.

To keep travelers safe, Chief d’Entremont offers the following safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Buckle Up, Drive Sober and Pay Attention

• Never drive drunk or drive distracted. In every state, it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

• Be sure to have a designated driver to ensure that you and your family members are safe at all times in the motor vehicle.

• If you smell or see anyone with an alcoholic beverage, do not get into the car with them or let the person drive.

Plan Ahead

• Plan your travel and route by checking the weather, road conditions, and traffic. Leave early, if necessary, and allow plenty of time to safely get to your destination.

• Carry items in your vehicle that may prove useful in the event of an emergency or if you get stranded, including: snow shovel, broom, ice scraper, jumper cables, flashlight, flares/emergency markers, blankets, mobile phone with charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine

• If you become stranded, don’t run your vehicle with the windows up or in an enclosed space for an extended period of time to avoid asphyxiation from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you must run your vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe of any snow and run it only sporadically – just long enough to stay warm.

For additional tips and information please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or call the Dedham Police Department at 781-326-1212.

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