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Police Cracking Down On Drunk Driving During The Holidays

December 7, 2009
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By Sabri Ben-Achour

Police across the nation are cracking down on drunk driving this holiday season, and our area is no exception.

In 2008, More than 1,400 people died in alcohol-related crashes in D.C., Virginia and Maryland. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, holidays aren't necessarily more dangerous unless they fall on or near weekends. This year, they do.

Police departments across the country are stepping up efforts this holiday season to prevent drunk driving and catch drunk drivers. "You'll see the alcohol vans deployed during happy hour periods, in downtown areas, you'll also see a campaign of sobriety checkpoints throughout the city, increased patrols near club zones," says Sargeant Alexander Pope, with D.C. Police.

Maryland, Virginia and the district have seen fatalities from drunk driving fall significantly over the past few years. Officers credit stricter enforcement and publicity campaigns.

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