Michael R. Kent
Chief of Police
45 Center Street
Burlington, MA 01803
www.bpd.org
For Immediate Release
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Burlington Police Remind Residents to Remain Safe and Sober While Driving During the Holidays
BURLINGTON — With the Christmas and New Year’s holidays fast approaching, Chief Michael Kent and the Burlington Police Department wish to emphasize the importance of remaining safe and sober while driving during the holidays.
“We’re committed to ensuring the safety of our community by keeping impaired drivers off the road,” Chief Kent said. “Everyone should remember to wear a seatbelt every time they enter a vehicle, and they should never get behind the wheel when they’ve had too much to drink.”
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 40 percent of traffic fatalities that occur during the holidays involve a driver who is alcohol-impaired, compared to 31 percent for the rest of the year. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reported that, in 2016, 48 percent of highway deaths on New Year’s Eve were alcohol related.
To keep travelers safe, Chief Kent offers the following safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
Buckle Up, Drive Sober and Pay Attention
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Never drive while intoxicated or if distracted. In every state, it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. Do not text while driving and always keep both hands on the wheel.
- Be sure to have a designated driver to ensure that you and your family members are safe at all times in the motor vehicle.
- If you see anyone with an alcoholic beverage, or if a person smells of alcohol, do not get into the car or let that person drive.
Plan Ahead
- Plan your travel and route by checking the weather, road conditions, and traffic. Leave early, if necessary, and allow plenty of time to safely get to your destination.
- Carry items in your vehicle that may prove useful in the event of an emergency or if you get stranded, including snow shovel, broom, ice scraper, jumper cables, flashlight, flares/emergency markers, blankets, mobile phone with charger, water, food and any necessary medicine.
- If you become stranded, don’t run your vehicle with the windows up or in an enclosed space for an extended period of time to avoid asphyxiation from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you must run your vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe of any snow and run it only sporadically – just long enough to stay warm.
For additional tips and information please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or call the Burlington Police Department at 781-272-1212.
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