OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

It's hard to have a happy holiday when you're arrested for drunk driving. Keep the season merry and bright by following the law and refusing to drink and drive. During this busy winter holiday season, the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office (PPSO) is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to urge drivers to think twice before drinking and driving. During this current Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign, drivers will see PPSO deputies working on a special high-visibility enforcement to spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving from December 15, 2023, through January 1, 2024.

Tragically, December can be a dangerous time for people on the roads. During the 2017-2021 December months, there were more than 4,500 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. Male drivers are far more likely to be impacted by drunk driving: In December 2021, drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a much higher rate (721) compared to female drivers (208), male drivers were almost four times more likely (721) to be alcohol-impaired and involved in a fatal traffic crash than females (208) in December 2021. More parties and festivities celebrating the season brings out more drunk drivers. PPSO and the NHTSA urge drivers to always make a plan before heading out to a celebration.

According to NHTSA, 13,384 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021 involved alcohol-impaired drivers. This represented 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States for the year, and a 14.2% increase from 2020. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

There are plenty of options to help impaired drivers get home safely, such as designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. If you see a drunk driver on the road, do not hesitate to contact PPSO at 504-564-2525 or dial 911 for an immediate response.

No one should mix drinking and driving, and no one is immune to the effects of drunk driving. If you find yourself drunk and stranded with your vehicle, give your keys to a sober driver who can safely drive you home. Remind your friends to never get in the vehicle with a drunk driver. If you have a friend who is about to drive drunk, take away their keys and help them get home safely. Always have a plan before you head out for the evening.

For more information about the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

#####

Contact Information:
Captain Chaun J. Domingue
Public Information Officer
Office: 504-934-6785
cdomingue@ppso.net