NEWS RELEASE
* City of Takoma Park Police Department 7500 Maple Avenue * Takoma Park, Md 20912
**The below is a release that is being put out by all State of Maryland Chiefs.**
March 17, 2009 (4:00 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chief Bernadette DiPino, President
Maryland Chiefs of Police Association
410-516-9896
Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk This St. Patrick’s Day!
Don’t Depend on Dumb Luck-Designate a Sober Driver Before the Party Begins
[Columbia, Maryland]-For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the large volume of impaired drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous.
Last year on St. Patrick’s Day, nearly half of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes nationwide had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above. Preliminary estimates show that there were 3 fatalities and almost 600 crashes on Maryland’s roads during St. Patrick’s Day weekend in 2008.
Traffic safety IS public safety and that is why the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association announced their joint efforts with federal, state, and local highway safety and law enforcement officials across the nation to remind all those who plan on celebrating during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities to drink responsibly and don’t drive after drinking alcohol. Maryland law enforcement will be conducting saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the weekend leading up to and including St. Patrick’s Day.
“The wearing of the green is a time honored tradition, regardless of whether or not you’re Irish, but don’t let luck enter into your decisions while enjoying the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. If you plan on consuming alcohol, plan ahead of time for an alternative form of transportation - and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired.”
“Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.” said the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association president, and Ocean City Police Chief, Bernadette DiPino.
Drunk Driving Prevention
Following these easy steps, a driver can enjoy a safe St. Patrick’s Day without jeopardizing their life and the lives of the others who may be on the road.
Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
Utilize Baltimore’s free Tipsy?Taxi! service or DC’s Sober Ride program; more information can be found by calling 1-877-963-TAXI or by going to www.soberride.com.
If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement by calling 911 or #77;
And, remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2007, 41,059 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Out of that number 12,998 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
“The risks and the consequences far outweigh any perceived convenience of driving while impaired,” said DiPino. “Maryland’s law enforcement will be out all weekend leading up to St.Patrick’s Day to ensure the safety of all Maryland motorists.”
Don’t depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org
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The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association is an alliance of executive law enforcement officers from State, Local and Federal Agencies dedicated to leading and supporting the efforts of police chiefs and sworn law enforcement executives in advancing the science and art of police services.