Law Enforcement Doubly on the Lookout for Drunk Driving throughout

the Holidays

The holiday season brings with it

some of the busiest travel days of

the year. The day before

Thanksgiving and the time around

Christmas bring home thousands

of people from around the

country.

Whether people are flying, driving,

or catching the bus, people are on

the move, and they desperately

just want to get home. People are on the way, and they are in a rush to get there.

Snow on roads

These winter holidays are often characterized by cold and winter storms. This means ice and snow on

the road for drivers.

The slippery surface slows people down and causes accidents. Delays mount with high levels of traffic

and people are kept from their loved ones.

The combination of crowded streets and icy roads make travel difficult enough. The only thing that

exacerbates the problem is when you throw drunk drivers into the mix.

In 2010, over 10,000 people lost their lives to DUI related incidents. Over 300,000 were injured.

These statistics are astounding when you stop to consider that every one of them was avoidable. Adding

drunk drivers to the mix can make the holiday season a perilous time.

For that reason, many state and city police departments are increasing enforcement on the day before

Thanksgiving. An increased amount of officers will be on high alert for drunk drivers around Utah.

Checkpoints

Don’t be surprised to find checkpoints every now and again. Colorado reported four deaths due to drunk

driving and 453 DUI arrests made last year.

In one day, the families of these four people were changed forever, and 453 were arrested right before

thanksgiving. Similar statistics can be found around the country.

Law Enforcement Officials are serious about keeping the roads as safe as possible. If you choose to drink

and drive this holiday season, you will get a DUI in Utah.

A DUI in Utah means 2 days in jail for the first offense, 10 days for the second, and no minimum jail term

for the third. The third also brings with it a report of a felony for your permanent record.

Worse still, if you get pulled over and

refuse to take a chemical test, your

license will be suspended for a year and a

half. Do it again and your time doubles.

Driving drunk is a serious enough issue

that an entire group was created 30 years

ago by a mother who lost a dear child to

the irresponsible drinking habits of a

driver. The experience affected her

deeply.

No mother should have to experience the

pain and suffering that she had to go

through. She soon created Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD for short.

MADD has been right on the front lines with law enforcement, trying to convince people to drive

responsibly. They continue to make significant headway, but they can only have an effect if you decide

no not drink and drive.

Aside from the lawful consequences of a DUI in Utah, remember the mothers of the people around you.

You are a danger to their precious children when you do this.

Don’t keep a family member from returning. Do not drink and drive.

A DUI in Utah may only have seemingly minor consequences, but causing an accident because of

drinking and driving could change your life forever. Drive safe and sober this holiday season.

Photo credit: Olegala, Phil’s 1st Pics