Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday continued Virginia’s public training campaign and enforcement effort to unfold consciousness and deter drunk driving throughout the holiday season.
The Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign combines legislation enforcement with research-based messaging to remind Virginians to make accountable selections when consuming.
“Keep your family, your community and yourself safe by not drinking and driving this holiday season,” mentioned Northam. “You can always designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use public transportation and rideshare services. We owe our thanks to law enforcement professionals for keeping people safe this holiday season. Together, we can reduce impaired driving and save lives.”
In 2020, Virginia misplaced 272 lives in alcohol-related crashes. Since Checkpoint Strikeforce’s inaugural campaign in 2001, alcohol-related crashes have decreased 41.2%, fatalities have decreased by 24%, and accidents have decreased by half.
“The holidays traditionally pose an increased risk for fatalities involving alcohol-impaired driving,” mentioned Richard D. Holcomb, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “Our goal is to ensure each and every Virginian gets home safely to their families this holiday season. Between Thanksgiving 2020 and New Year’s Day 2021 alone, 14 Virginians lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes. Our message is simple: as you celebrate with loved ones this holiday season, don’t put lives at risk by getting behind the wheel after drinking.”
Virginia State Police will work by means of the holidays as a part of Operation CARE — the Crash Awareness Reduction Effort. CARE is a nationwide, state-sponsored site visitors security program that aims to reduce site visitors crashes, fatalities and accidents attributable to impaired driving, rushing and failing to use seatbelts.
A complete of 116 Virginia legislation enforcement businesses will take part in the holiday wave of Virginia’s Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign by means of New Year’s Day. Law enforcement officers will improve the police presence in high-risk areas and set up 55 sobriety checkpoints throughout the commonwealth.
Complementing the excessive visibility enforcement, Checkpoint Strikeforce is operating a surround-sound advert campaign known as “Act Like It.” The campaign reminds viewers that consuming and driving is irresponsible. To evaluation different transportation choices and to see the 30-second advert, go to www.ActLikeIt.org.