For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reading Police to Participate in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

READING — Deputy Chief David Clark reports that the Reading Police Department will be increasing the number of patrols on local roads as part of a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

The campaign is an initiative of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division and will continue through the remainder of the summer and into the fall. Additional patrols by the Reading Police Department are being funded for the initiative by a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Police urge motorists who have been drinking or using marijuana or other drugs to plan ahead and designate a driver, use a ride-sharing service or take public transportation.

“Impaired driving is incredibly dangerous, and endangers the lives of the driver, passengers, nearby motorists and pedestrians,” Deputy Chief Clark said. “We urge residents– never, ever drive while impaired by any substance. Plan ahead: designate a sober driver or use public transportation.”

Reading Police will have several officers on the lookout for impaired and reckless drivers over the coming weeks. Everyone is reminded to never get behind the wheel if they have been drinking and to never get into a vehicle if the driver is impaired.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 30 people are killed daily in the United States by crashes that involve impaired driving, killing approximately 10,000 people each year.

The Reading Police Department is joining 140 local law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth, as well as the Massachusetts State Police, by enhancing its efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road.

“The most important responsibility of anyone behind the wheel is to drive safely,” said Jeff Larason, director of the OGR Highway Safety Division. “As summer vacation turns into back-to-school season, it’s important that motorists take seriously their responsibility to stay sober and alert.”

If you are charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will lose your license and could face jail time and incur the cost of significant fines and expenses.

###