The Peachtree City Police Department says it will extend its enforcement crackdown through the holiday season: “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” and “Holiday Heat.” The intensified enforcement effort against drunk drivers underscores the severity of the problem both locally and across the nation.

“Drunk driving represents a deadly disregard for human life. Vastly too many people suffer tragic injuries and the loss of a loved one as a result of drunk driving,” said Peachtree City Police Chief H.C. “Skip” Clark, II.

Under the slogan of “Holiday Heat” that started Dec. 19, “we will be out in force conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and other activities to save lives by getting more drunk drivers off our roadways,” said Chief Clark.

“Our sobriety and seat belt check points are scheduled throughout the holiday season. We know from experience that sobriety checkpoints are an effective way to maximize our deterrent efforts,” Clark said.

Other agencies involved include the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police, Coweta County Sheriff’s Department, Senoia Police, Tyrone Police, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

“We look forward to coordinating these life-saving efforts with all of these agencies as well as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)” Chief Clark said.

In 2006, 13,470 fatalities occurred in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle rider who had a .08 or above blood alcohol concentration (BAC) compared with 13,582 in 2005. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in December 2006, 1,076 people were killed in crashes involving a driver with a BAC level of .08 or higher – above the legal limit in every state as well as the District of Columbia, Clark said.

The holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times of the year due to an increase in impaired driving.

“We will be out in force making sure drunk drivers are off the road,” said Chief Clark. “If we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions. No excuses.”

Since 1981, every President of the United States has demonstrated the commitment to the prevention of impaired driving by proclaiming December as National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.

Always designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk are just two of several simple steps to help avoid a crash or an arrest for impaired driving. Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead: Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate your sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;

• If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely. Use your community’s local cab companies;

•Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement by calling 911;

• Wearing your seat belt or using protective gear on your motorcycle is your best defense against an impaired driver;

And remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk. 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.

For further information on traffic safety programs provided by the police department, please feel free to contact Lt. Mark Brown (markbrown@peachtree-city.org), or any member of the Community Response Team (C.R.T.) at 770-487-8866. Traffic concerns, complaints, and additional traffic safety resources may be obtained 24 hours a day at www.peachtree-city.org/traffic.