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Alison Kuznitz | SHNS
With Bay Staters preparing to celebrate Christmas and New Year's, transportation and law enforcement officials, AAA Northeast and advocates sounded the alarm Monday about impaired driving.
"We ask every single driver to pay attention to the road ahead, drive sober, travel at or below the speed limit, and put phones away so everyone can be present with loved ones for a holiday," Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbs-Nutt said. "It is a crushing blow to the lives of many people if someone gets behind the wheel and causes a crash, which is life-changing in the worst possible way."
Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie stressed the importance of having a designated driver for every celebration or social gathering, saying that road safety is a "shared responsibility."
Massachusetts recorded more than 3,300 crashes between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 last holiday season, which resulted in 11 deaths and 737 people sustaining injuries, AAA Northeast said, citing state data. Five of those deaths stemmed from crashes that involved an impaired driver.
Officials and advocates say fatalities can be prevented this holiday season by ensuring all motorists are sober, that party hosts provide nonalcoholic beverages and ascertain guests have a sober ride home, and that people use taxis, rideshare services or public transportation.
"In partnership with AAA, we want to remind everyone of the devastating consequences of impaired driving," Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte, who's also president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, said. "Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs jeopardizes not only your life but the lives of others on the road. This holiday season, let's all commit to celebrating responsibly and ensuring a safe journey home."
