Marietta's Zero DUI Tolerance During the Holidays Takes on New Urgency

In recent years, Georgia has used the holiday season to reinforce the state’s zero tolerance policy for impaired driving. If you’re over the limit, you’re under arrest. It’s that simple.

However, the end of 2012 has brought a new sense of urgency for Georgia besides making New Year’s resolutions. That’s because for the first time in 6 years, Georgia is on track to experience an increase in traffic fatalities, according to Marietta Police. If fatalities maintain their current rate, the state will surpass last year’s total of 1,226 deaths on our roadways.

That’s why the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is adding a special message to its normal enforcement campaign this time of year, Marietta Police said in a press release.

In addition to reminding Georgia motorists that if they don’t drive sober, they’ll get pulled over, GOHS has also launched Operation Safe Holidays to ask drivers to be extra careful on Georgia roads so the state doesn’t reach a 6-year milestone of traffic deaths.

And statistics show, the holiday season isn’t just dangerous in Georgia. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2,597 people were killed in traffic crashes across the country in December 2010 and 775 of those were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.

The good news is there are a few simple tips to get home safely if you plan to drink this holiday season:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your keys at home;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;

The Marietta Police Department has a zero tolerance policy on impaired driving.  The use of “Cop Cab” will increase this season to help educate the public and prevent impaired driving.

The Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) of the Marietta Police Departments Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Unit (STEP) and Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic Unit (HEAT) will be out in force this holiday season to ensure the highways are safe for the residents of Marietta.

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