LUDLOW — Chief Daniel Valadas is pleased to share that Ludlow Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind drivers to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over this holiday season.
NHTSA and local law enforcement agencies are launching a high-visibility impaired driving awareness campaign that runs from Dec. 11 through Jan. 1, 2025, and want all drivers to remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. In support of law enforcement’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, drivers will see officers working together during the holiday season to take drunk drivers off the roads.
This initiative is part of the Winter Impaired Driving Campaign, which is active throughout December. Ludlow Police will have extra patrols throughout the month to detect and apprehend drivers and operators who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The additional patrols are funded through a portion of a $20,000 Municipal Road Safety Grant through the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research. The grant was awarded to Ludlow Police to staff extra patrols for six national traffic safety campaigns throughout the year, with December being the first of these campaigns.
Alcohol-impaired driving is deadly and continues to be a factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holidays. During the 2018-2022 December months, there were 4,759 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In December 2022 alone, 1,062 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Unfortunately, males and young people are at greatest risk for injury or fatality: In December 2022, drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a much higher rate (22 percent) compared to female drivers (16 percent), and young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (25 percent) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes.
Drivers should remain safe during the holidays by planning ahead if they intend to drink. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere, as being under the influence of alcohol or other substances can cloud a person’s judgment. Individuals should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare service to ensure they get home safely. Those who are designated drivers should refrain from consuming alcohol or other substances.
Community members should also look out for their friends and family by ensuring they have a sober ride home, and by not letting them get behind the wheel while impaired.
Residents and community members are reminded to contact Ludlow Central Dispatch if they observe an impaired driver on the road.
Over the past 10 years, Ludlow Police has seen an increase in impaired driving, including a 100 percent increase in driving under the influence of drugs and a 50 percent increase in drunk driving.
“Drunk driving is illegal and deadly and no one should get behind the wheel if impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Chief Valadas. “We want our community to have a fun-filled holiday season, but also want residents to be responsible, use sensible judgment, and remain safe, and that means refraining from drinking and using impairing substances before or while driving. Make the right choice for a safe and sober ride home.”
For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.
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