As friends and family celebrate the holidays, the Mesquite Police Department (MPD) warns people about drinking and driving.
“Thankfully, most people understand the dangers of drinking and driving and plan a safe way home,” said MPD Public Information Officer, Robert W. Everett. “Unfortunately, there are still those who choose to get behind the wheel after drinking.”
According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), young males are especially prone to drink and drive with nearly one-quarter of young males admitting to riding with someone who should not have been driving in the past year.
In other statistics from NHTSA, there were 753 people killed in crashes involving legally-impaired drivers during Dec 2009.
MPD recommends these simple tips for a safe holiday season.
? Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin – choose a designated driver, schedule a taxi or arrange to have a friend or family member pick you up.
? Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take away their keys and help them make other arrangements.
? If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact MPD immediately at 346-6911.
For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
