Campaign Runs Through Jan. 23
EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Paul O’Brien is pleased to announce that the East Bridgewater Police Department has been awarded a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR) to increase the number of impaired driving patrols during the holiday season as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign.
East Bridgewater police will join other departments across the state and the State Police in the campaign. 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.
“When an impaired driver is behind the wheel, everyone is at risk – passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists sharing the road,” Chief O’Brien said. “These funds will increase our traffic enforcement presence over the holidays. Regardless of the type or level of impairment, if a driver is dangerously operating their vehicle, they will be stopped.”
The campaign runs through Jan. 23. During that time, East Bridgewater Police will have several officers on the lookout for impaired and reckless drivers on the roads. Everyone 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 national data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. On average, more than 10,000 people have died each year (2014 to 2018) in drunk-driving crashes.
In 2018, one person was killed every 50 minutes by a drunk driver on our nation’s roads, and one in five children (14 and younger) killed in traffic crashes were killed in drunk-driving crashes.
Drugs were present in 43 percent of the fatally-injured drivers with a known test result in 2015, more frequently than alcohol was present. NHTSA’s 2013-2014 roadside survey found drugs in 22 percent of all drivers on weekend nights and on weekdays.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects, slows reaction times, impairs cognitive performance and makes it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane. Mixing alcohol and marijuana may dramatically produce effects greater than either drug on its own.
“Arranging for a sober ride home before celebrating should be a part of everyone’s plans this holiday season,” said Kevin Stanton, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research. “We want all drivers to recognize the responsibility they have to drive safely and to avoid getting behind the wheel if they’re impaired. Remember, if you feel different, you drive different.”
For more information on the Office of Grants and Research’s Municipal Road Safety and impaired driving enforcement grant program, as well as the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, click here.
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