VALDOSTA — The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is joining state and local law enforcement in warning drivers to avoid the risk of going to jail during the holidays by making the right decision to not drink and drive.

Georgia is once again participating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s annual Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over campaign from Dec. 13 through Jan. 1. With more than 100 million travelers expected to hit the nation’s roads during Christmas and New Year’s, Georgia law enforcement will be continuing their year-round zero tolerance policy during the Christmas holiday season by taking all impaired drivers to jail, state officials said.

“Consider this your warning because state troopers, sheriff’s deputies and police officers are going to arrest all impaired drivers they find on the road,” said Allen Poole, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety director. “If alcohol is going to be part of your holiday plans, please include a plan for a sober ride with a designated driver, ride-share service or cab before the party starts.”

NHTSA data shows that 839 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver during December 2018. During the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods in 2018 alone, there were more drunk driving-related fatalities than during any other holiday period that year, state officials said. 

Georgia’s alcohol-impaired fatalities last year accounted for approximately 25% of all traffic fatalities statewide with 375. While that’s better than the national average of 29%, that’s still 375 too many, state officials said.

GOHS focuses on impaired drivers during the holiday season, but it is also warning drivers who might never drive drunk that there are still things they can do to help get home safe.

“The holidays are a busy time with so many of us trying to get so much done in a short period of time, and we want to remind people to avoid rushing on the road by obeying the speed limit and complying with Georgia’s hands-free law,” Poole said. “And always remember the best defense against a drunk, distracted or speeding driver is a buckled seatbelt.”

AAA’s “Tow-To-Go” program is another option for those who fail to plan ahead for a sober ride home. The service will once again offer free tows and rides up to 10 miles Dec. 20 on and Thursday, Jan. 2, state officials said. People interested in the free ride can visit https://autoclubsouth.aaa.com/safety/tow_to_go.aspx or call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO for more information.

GOHS also offers the following tips for partying with a plan this holiday season:

– Remember it is never OK to drink and drive. Even with only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

– If hosting holiday festivities, be sure to have non-alcoholic drinks available to encourage designated drivers and be prepared to take keys away from anyone who tries to leave after drinking and make arrangements for them to get home safely.

– If seeing a drunk driver on the road, call 911, *GSP or local law-enforcement agency.

For more information on GOHS’ impaired driving awareness programs, visit https://www.gahighwaysafety.org.