Police Task Force Battles Drinksgiving with Sobriety Checkpoint Tonight
PHOTO | CDC / Amanda Mills
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Thanksgiving is the deadliest holiday on our roads. Over 800 people died nationwide in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period from 2012 to 2016. The night before Thanksgiving has become known as “Drinksgiving” because of the binge drinking done by college students and others, home for the holiday and reuniting with friends at bars.
AAA suggests drivers download NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app available on Google Play for Android devices and Apple’s iTunes Store. The free app allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user’s location so the user can be picked up.
Each year Montgomery County law enforcement agencies form a Alcohol Holiday Task Force. This year the task force began their work last Wednesday, November 15 and continues through January 6, 2018. In the first three nights, officers made 19 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
On Nov. 22, officers from the task force will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint in the county. The task force attempts to get drunk or drug-impaired drivers off the road in areas known for a high number of alcohol-related collisions.
Holiday Alcohol Task Force Has Begun – Sobriety Checkpoint Tonight. Always Choose A Sober Ride: https://t.co/EXMJUcvRkx pic.twitter.com/M3LpKzbExn
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) November 22, 2017
The Montgomery County Police Department reminds residents to assist in combating alcohol-related crime and collisions with the following advice:
If you plan on drinking alcohol this holiday season, include a sober driver in your plans:
- If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
- When you know you’ll be drinking, leave your keys at home or give them to someone else.
- If you have been drinking, do not drive—even a short distance. Call a taxi, Uber, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or call Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s SoberRide at 1-800-200-TAXI ( information regarding specific dates of this year’s program is forthcoming).
If you believe you are observing a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs:
- Call 911. If possible, and without putting yourself in danger, safely obtain the license plate of the vehicle, the direction of travel of the vehicle, and a description of the vehicle (make, model, color).
If you have information on establishments that are selling alcohol to youth under 21 or over serving patrons:
- If it is occurring at the present time, you can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.
- If you believe it is an ongoing issue, you can call Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here. You can remain anonymous. Please provide as much information as possible. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.
- You can also call the Keeping it SAFE: Under Twenty-One Alcohol Prevention Coalition at 301-670-7233 to report an ongoing issue of an establishment selling alcohol to minors. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.
If you have information on an underage drinking party:
- If it is occurring at the present time, you can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.
- If you have knowledge of a party planned for a future date, you can call the Keeping it SAFE: Under Twenty-One Alcohol Prevention Coalition at 301-670-7233. You can leave a message and remain anonymous. You can also call Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Please provide as much information as possible. Tips will be forwarded to the Alcohol Initiatives Section.
Stop policing society for a prophet!!!