Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

2009 Holiday Crackdown

December 16 - January 3

Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2008, 11,773 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. The holiday season can be particularly dangerous for travelers on America's roads. This is why State Highway Safety Offices around the country are working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and their state and local partners to take part in the national Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown on impaired driving throughout the holiday season.

The crackdown is a deterrence program organized by NHTSA that combines high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising and publicity. This December’s effort is supported by $7.5 million in paid national advertising to help put everyone on notice that if they are caught driving impaired, they will be arrested.

Examples of specific state enforcement and public information efforts are listed below. For more information about a specific state's activities, call or email that state's media contact. State drunk driving laws and additional resources about this issue are available on the GHSA Drunk Driving Laws page. General information about the campaign is available at www.stopimpaireddriving.org.

• Alaska—During the holiday season, multi-jurisdictional saturation patrols are taking place throughout Alaska, especially on the main arterial between Fairbanks and Homer, the main transportation surface for more than 88% of the population. The Bureau of Highway Patrol and several police departments are using enforcement and traffic data and travel in packs throughout targeted territories searching for impaired drivers. An aggressive statewide media campaign supports the holiday crackdown by reaching high risk drivers through their favorite television and radio stations and newspapers by reminding them that impaired driving is unacceptable and offenders will be arrested.
• Arizona—Arizona's Statewide DUI Task Force is composed of 17 “separate, but united in purpose” agencies with enforcement efforts running from Thanksgiving Day through New Years. The Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety is issuing 14 separate news releases to all Arizona media throughout December, with final numbers coming out on January 2.
• Arkansas—Arkansas law enforcement are working overtime conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols during a highly visible Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. mobilization Dec. 21 through Jan. 3. A statewide media buy includes radio, TV and the Internet with a focus on 18-34 year old males. The Arkansas Highway Safety Office is distributing a news release warning drivers of the dangers of drunk driving and preparing them for the increase in law enforcement. The Highway Department is displaying messages on statewide highway changeable message boards, and MADD volunteers are supporting the checkpoints. Also, the MADD national president is visiting the state to publicize the mobilization on local broadcast television interviews.
• California—California has planned an extensive enforcement and public awareness effort. On the enforcement side, the state is kicking off its “The Year of the Checkpoint,” with over 300 checkpoints involving over 200 police departments, multi-agency task forces and the California Highway Patrol during the three week holiday mobilization alone. Saturation patrols and other special operations are also taking place throughout the state. On the public awareness side, the state is coordinating a campaign that includes: dozens of billboards in major markets; radio and TV public service announcements; gas pump toppers; taxi toppers; mall and airport kiosks; and partnerships with over 1,500 7-Eleven stores, independent mini-markets, and a 150 store supermarket chain providing employee messaging buttons, cooler clings, ice freezer wraps, floor graphics and check-out tip sheets. In addition, multiple state agencies and over 200 local law enforcement agencies are generating earned media through various outreach efforts.
• Colorado—The Colorado State Patrol and 50 law enforcement agencies across the state are conducting impaired driving enforcement through January 4. The Colorado DOT kicked off the crackdown with the debut of an iPhone application that estimates BAC levels. The "R-U-Buzzed" app can be downloaded free at Apple's App Store for those with iPhones or touch screen iPods. CDOT is also encouraging holiday partygoers to plan ahead if they will be drinking alcohol by visiting a special website, www.PlanAheadColorado.com. This site gives people tools and information to help them enjoy the holidays responsibly, including: a list of bars and restaurants partnering with the state to distribute free cab vouchers, a list of hotels offering a discounted rate, overnight parking options, and public transportation alternatives such as free bus and light rail rides on New Year’s Eve.
• Connecticut—Connecticut is conducting a comprehensive traffic safety media campaign including television, radio spots, billboards and bus panels. This campaign supplements the national media buy. Two state-specific TV commercials are being broadcast: one reinforcing the seatbelt safety message, and the other on the dangers of impaired driving. The Connecticut DOT has awarded 86 comprehensive DUI enforcement grants to state and local law enforcement agencies for the 2009 holiday travel period. Included in this effort are saturation DUI patrols and over 90 planned DUI checkpoints throughout the state. Also, 23 variable message signs will display the "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." message on major interstate highways during the holiday season.
• Delaware—The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is conducting 22 sobriety checkpoints and has scheduled more than 300 roving patrols. Paid media includes radio and television public service announcements, billboards, indoor advertising, and Internet ads. The state is also partnering with the HERO campaign at various local businesses, urging folks to be designated drivers. In addition, “DUI Victim Trees” will be placed in three DMV locations. White lights are replaced by green lights (for each alcohol-related injury) or red lights (for each alcohol-related fatality) through New Year’s Eve.
• District of Columbia—The Metropolitan Police Department, in partnership with the District Department of Transportation, is displaying the "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" message on dynamic message boards located through out the city. Additionally, police officers will be strictly enforcing the District’s impaired driving laws during the crackdown period.
• Florida—Florida is holding a variety of local impaired driving awareness events. The State DOT, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies are conducting media events across the state. Law enforcement agencies are running DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols from December 11 through Jan. 3., and Law Enforcement Liaisons are helping coordinate these efforts.
• Georgia—Hundreds of Georgia traffic safety officers are busy planning for the Over the Limit. Under Arrest. DUI campaign to keep families safe on the highways over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel period. Activities include high visibility DUI road checks and concentrated patrols during Georgia’s Operation Zero Tolerance (OZT). The Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is coupling its holiday OZT message with a public information campaign about the state’s new Super Speeder Law to further improve the driving behavior of high-risk drivers. GOHS Director Bob Dallas is conducting the statewide holiday campaign kickoff with a news conference in Savannah, and similar news conferences are being held across the state. OZT enforcement runs Dec. 18 through Jan. 3.
• Hawaii—Hawaii's four county police departments are enhancing their impaired driving enforcement efforts throughout the holiday season. Enforcement efforts are being backed by a strong paid media campaign that reminds drivers that police are on the road looking for impaired drivers. The Hawaii Department of Transportation has also partnered with MADD Hawaii to celebrate their 25th anniversary red ribbon campaign to remind drivers not to drink and drive.
• Idaho—Sixty law enforcement agencies are dedicating extra patrols during Idaho's Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign from December 18 - January 3. The emphasis is on keeping families safe on the highways by raising awareness of DUI enforcement and reminding people to plan ahead if they are going to drink and always wear their seat belts. Media coverage includes radio, television ads and billboards placed throughout the state. Bar coasters with the "Drunk Driving .Over the Limit. Under Arrest." message are being distributed by regional law enforcement liaisons, and the Idaho Liquor Dispensary.
• Illinois—Illinois’ 2009 You Drink & Drive. You Lose. holiday crackdown effort continues Illinois’ Operation Save 100 program, the state’s end-of-the-year enforcement push to reduce highway fatalities by at least 100 compared to 2008. The crackdown strongly focuses on the overwhelming number of alcohol-involved and unrestrained fatalities that occur during late-night hours. Late-night roadside safety check news events are being conducted around the New Year’s holiday, sending out the strong message “If You’re Out at Night, You’re in Our Sight!” Over 300 state and local law enforcement agencies are participating and will be conducting impaired driving and late night belt enforcement details, including over 200 roadside safety checks. In addition, a statewide media buy featuring radio, cable and broadcast TV, online, out-of-home and Internet advertisements reminds motorists that if you’re caught driving impaired or unbuckled at night, you will be arrested and/or ticketed.
• Indiana—In addition to the December crackdown, Indiana has identified November as a high risk month for motorists due to increased holiday travel, which results in high volumes of traffic. To decrease the number of traffic crashes on Indiana's roadways this November, the Indiana State Police, in conjunction with more than 250 local law enforcement agencies, conducted a 16-day Safe Family Travel enforcement mobilization. During the December OTLUA campaign, the Indiana State Police and 125 agencies in 33 Indiana Counties are conducting saturation patrols, wolf-pack patrols, and sobriety checkpoints. These 33 counties have been identified as high alcohol crash counties and are part of the DUI Task Force Indiana enforcement program. In addition, Indiana is engaging in various earned media strategies throughout the month. The Traffic Safety Media division is issuing a holiday news release with an impaired driving focus and networking with local media outlets to coordinate radio and television interviews with a goal of maintaining awareness about impaired/"buzzed" driving during the holiday season. These media efforts encompass both Christmas and New Year's.
• Iowa—The Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) has several activities planned to deter and detect impaired drivers this holiday season. "3-D" (December Drunk and Drugged Driving) enforcement, media and education program planner information is being emailed to nearly 300 colleges and local, county and state law enforcement agencies across the state with highway traffic safety contracts with GTSB. On Nov. 16, Governor Culver signed a proclamation declaring December 2009 as "Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month." Additionally, the Bureau recently certified 14 new law enforcement officers as DREs (Drug Recognition Experts), who will join the current force of 125 DREs trained to identify drivers who may be impaired on drugs other than alcohol. GTSB Chief Larry Sauer, with the cooperation of the Alcohol Beverage Division, is sending a letter promoting designated drivers or calling a cab to approximately 4,000 liquor license establishments in the state's 22 top high crash problem counties. Finally, Iowa's media agency has also issued public service announcements on radio, TV and in print, with the message: "Whatever it Takes to Stop a Friend from Driving Drunk."
• Kansas—Kansas is taking advantage of earned media opportunities during the crackdown period. Both local law enforcement and the Kansas Highway Patrol are increasing enforcement activities throughout the holiday period, and additional media messages are being broadcast during basketball games at the three large universities in Kansas. Additional impaired driving ads are being placed throughout the month to get the message out about the consequences of drunk driving, specifically losing your driving privileges and spending time in jail.
• Kentucky—Law enforcement agencies across the state are conducting traffic safety checkpoints and additional traffic patrol enforcement efforts through the holiday period. The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is distributing a statewide press release warning drivers of the dangers of drunk driving and preparing them for the increase in law enforcement. The campaign is also featured on the OHS website. Additionally, the office has partnered with WLEX-TV as a sponsor of the Safe and Sober campaign, promoting free taxi rides during the holidays.
• Louisiana—The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is conducting a joint press opportunity with Baton Rouge Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the Governor's Office to kickoff the Over the Limit. Under Arrest. national mobilization. The event highlights a new mobile DWI unit and addresses the stepped up enforcement statewide. It also provides the opportunity to announce Louisiana's media campaign and other partnerships in the effort to reduce impaired driving.
  
• Maine—The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety (MeBHS) is supporting a sustained holiday enforcement period that runs from October 16 through January 3. Thirty-two local police departments, five county Sheriffs' offices, and the Maine State Police are participating. Over $270,000 has been awarded to the departments to fund their enforcement efforts. The MeBHS's new media campaign, Survive Your Drive, kicked off in conjunction with this enforcement. Agencies participating in this campaign are making use of sample Survive Your Drive press releases to notify their communities of their stepped up enforcement efforts. More information is available at www.surviveyourdrive.org.
• Maryland—Maryland has several activities planned, including a statewide call to action, asking all Impaired Driving Coalition members; the Maryland Chiefs and Sheriff's Associations; the Community Traffic Safety Programs; and all their local task force members to promote the message: "Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911." Saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints in high risk jurisdictions are taking place across the state. The annual Maryland Remembers Memorial is a living tribute to victims who have lost loved one in impaired driving crashes, where State and Federal leaders join victim families in remembrance and to remind citizens to designate a sober driver, plan ahead and avoid the costly and innumerable consequences of drunk driving. Maryland residents are provided with free cab rides during the holiday via the WRAP SoberRide and AAA's Tipsy?Taxi! campaign. In addition, a pilot training program preparing Law Enforcement and Prosecutors for court to help improve conviction rates begins in December. MADD Chesapeake is conducting Cookies for Cops, where MADD volunteers deliver cookies to officers conducting Sobriety Checkpoints throughout the month. Finally, over 15,000 Christmas themed price tags with impaired driving messages are being distributed to local tree vendors, some local liquor stores, and to sport bike dealers statewide.
• Massachusetts—With over $660,000 in federal grant funding, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) is supporting a Holiday Season Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. high visibility enforcement mobilization from Dec. 11 through Jan. 4. This mobilization involves additional state police patrols, 220 grant awards to local police departments focused on apprehending impaired drivers, paid and earned media on the dangers of drunk driving to spotlight these additional patrols, and supportive community-liquor law/underage drinking education and enforcement efforts. Enforcement involves saturation patrols and numerous sobriety checkpoints led by the state police partnering with local police departments and utilizing two Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile units funded by EOPSS. Two statewide press events involving traffic safety partners, law enforcement, legislators and state officials are being scheduled to kickoff the mobilization and to partner with First Night activities. Outreach includes an op-ed article and a sample local press release for use by local police departments.
• Michigan—Michigan is conducting two media events in support of the holiday crackdown in Holland and Saginaw. Federally funded DUI enforcement is taking place in 30 counties. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is also promoting the use of designated drivers through use of an online designated driver gift card and distribution of designated driver drink coasters to grant-funded agencies.
• Minnesota—Minnesota is conducting a statewide media launch of its month-long DWI and belt enforcements on Dec. 3, featuring the state’s “DWI Enforcer All-Stars,” the top cops for DWI arrests. Media efforts continue all month to sustain the enforcement news: the second week in December will include the announcement of the state’s “13 deadliest counties for impaired driving.” Other news pushes include the promotion of “Designated Driver Gift Cards” that will be available statewide at liquor stores/bars and high-profile venues such as Minnesota Vikings games, and online at www.minnesotasafeandsober.org. Additional efforts include a holiday travel advisory, the launch of www.minnesotacrashvictims.org, and a bar coaster promotion–all tied to the enforcement message. The enforcement effort will also be supported with TV/radio, online, out-of-home, print, and theater advertising.
• Mississippi—The Mississippi Governors Office of Highway Safety's (GOHS) is gearing up for the national crackdown. Law enforcement agencies are doing call back details, safety checkpoints and saturation patrols statewide. The GOHS is sending out LEAKs (Law Enforcement Action Kits) to law enforcement agencies, schools and school resource officers to implement in their areas, asking them to publicize the "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." message at schools, in newspapers, and on TV and radio spots. This earned media is supplemented by a paid media budget of $300,000. GOHS is also hosting the MS Association of Highway Safety Leaders (MAHSL) on December 11 to distribute LEAKs and make a safety presentation. A 3D Safety Fair (in conjunction with the City of Richland/Richland High School SADD) is scheduled for Dec. 12, and nine Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Traffic Enforcement Network Meetings (TEN) are also taking place. Enforcement runs from Dec. 16 - Jan. 3, and LELs are working to assist in program implementation. After the campaign, agencies submit their blitz reports to GOHS, documenting all enforcement and gained earned media activities, and this data is compiled and sent to NHTSA through its online reporting system.
• Missouri—Missouri is mobilizing law enforcement agencies statewide to work DWI enforcement details during its Holiday Impaired Driving Campaign, December 7-13. Over 300 law enforcement agencies, including all 114 Missouri county sheriff's offices, are receiving mini-grants to cover the cost of officer overtime for saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints. Missouri is running a holiday impaired driving media campaign between Thanksgiving and Christmas on radio, online, and on television. Since the holidays show an increase in people visiting the cinema, ads will also be playing at movie theaters. The media campaign promotes a designated driver gift card for the holiday season. The card can be emailed or downloaded and printed at saveMOlives.com, and they are also being distributed to convenience stores and liquor stores in Missouri.
• Nebraska—With 11,000 hours of overtime hours added, the Nebraska State Patrol, along with Sheriff’s Offices and Police Departments across the state, are conducting sobriety checkpoints and special saturation patrols every week through the New Year's holiday weekend. In addition to crackdown radio and television ads, special radio ads promoting the 1-866-MUST-B-21 report underage drinking tip line are being played. Nebraska MADD is also holding a red ribbon “Tie One On for Safety" impaired driving awareness event at the Governor’s Residence. 
• Nevada—A number of law enforcement agencies are participating in the Joining Forces program between Dec. 14 and Jan. 4, conducting multiple DUI checkpoints and highly visible saturation patrols, covering 95% of Nevada's population. More than 30 enforcement waves are being conducted. Several are occurring at night and are being coupled with seat belt enforcement. These efforts are supported by paid as well as earned media from Dec. 7 to Jan. 3. Media partners statewide are helping to save lives this holiday season by increasing their matching or earned air times. The UMC Trauma Center is hosting its You Drink. You Drive. You Lose. event with a multitude of high school students and partners. On December 12, Safe Communities Partnership (SCP), the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety and Telemundo are hosting a Holiday DUI Awareness Event at a popular mall. In addition, the Office of Traffic Safety/Clark County Safe Communities/and Designated Drivers together are sponsoring a "home for the holidays" campaign emphasizing using a designated driver, with over 50 bars participating.
• New Hampshire—The holiday crackdown for New Hampshire consists of its annual Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness month and the Safe Family Holidays luncheon held on November 23, which over 200 law enforcement officials attended. In addition, numerous state, county and local law enforcement agencies will conduct DWI patrols during the holiday period.
• New Jersey—Law enforcement officials are cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the annual year-end Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign. Approximately 110 police agencies are receiving $5,000 grants for saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints. All police departments have received information packets on the initiative and are asked to participate and report their arrest statistics. A sample news release was distributed for police to send to local media to help further publicize their efforts. There is also a general release for statewide distribution. At the end of the campaign, results will be released to the media. The program is featured prominently on the Division's website, where public education information and collateral campaign materials are readily accessible to local municipalities and the general public. Local municipalities are also using banners and mobile video display signs to further promote the dangers of drinking and driving.
• New Mexico—This holiday season, New Mexico local, state and tribal law enforcement agencies are participating in a six-week long winter superblitz campaign from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3. Police agencies are conducting checkpoints, saturation patrols and nighttime seatbelt enforcement. The superblitz kicked off with a press event where Governor Richardson announced proposed legislation to require three days of mandatory jail time and $2,500 fines for first-time DWI convictions. Governor Richardson also wants to apply the charge of 2nd Degree Murder to the most heinous DWI offenses and close loopholes that currently allow some drunk drivers to escape DWI charges. New Mexico’s efforts also include a comprehensive media campaign with television, radio, billboards, bus panels and window clings to be placed on the refrigerator doors at convenience stores that sell beer. This year’s message encourages people to designate a driver this holiday season. Billboards, bus panels and window clings feature the words “Be the Life of the Party, Designate a Driver." Television and radio ads portray a father who attends a party with his daughter and later drives, crashing the vehicle and killing his daughter, with the tag line “Some things can’t be reversed, designate a driver.”
• New York—The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), the NY State STOP-DWI Association, and local and state police have joined forces to participate in the Holiday STOP-DWI Enforcement Crackdown running from Nov. 20 to Jan 2. Saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and underage drinking bar sweeps are all part of the effort. In addition, county STOP-DWI programs are holding local press conferences to localize their message. GTSC has also begun airing its annual "Drinking and Driving - Not an Option" television and radio commercial that runs through New Years. GTSC is also printing and distributing "Drinking and Driving - Not an Option" posters statewide.
• North Carolina—The North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program is conducting its holiday Booze It & Lose It campaign December 4 through January 3. During this time, state and local law enforcement officers will be participating in stepped up checkpoints and patrols. The "Tree of Life" ceremony and candlelight vigil are being held December 4 and will serve as the state's media event to kick off the mobilization. The "Tree of Life" is dedicated to the 1,453 lives lost in traffic crashes in 2008 on North Carolina roads, and the candlelight vigil remembers the 440 lives lost as a result of drinking and driving. The "Tree of Life" remains on display at the State Capitol through Jan. 4.
  
• North Dakota—North Dakota's holiday campaign begins with a statewide news conference, with State officials, judges, prosecutors and law enforcement reminding public of the “Cost of a DUI.” Safe Communities programs are holding their own news conferences to spread the message at the local level. High visibility enforcement begins mid-December and ends after New Years. State, county and city law enforcement, in partnership local Safe Communities, are conducting earned media activity to inform the public of the heightened enforcement and discourage impaired driving. Activities include live radio remotes, news stories and interviews, impaired driving simulator demonstrations and displays set up in communities throughout the state visually representing “The Cost of a DUI” (for example, a display representing $10,000 worth of diapers in a local store or a display equating the "The Cost of a DUI” to the purchase of a bull at a local sales barn). These displays remind the public that a DUI could translate to the loss of something important to them, including the loss of life.
• Ohio—Through the funding and coordination of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, more than 90 local law enforcement agencies around the state are planning more than 6,700 hours of enforcement this holiday season, including 11 sobriety checkpoints and more than 1,400 hours of saturation patrols. The Ohio State Highway Patrol will have a visible presence on the state's highways. Enforcement efforts are supported by a statewide paid media buy, using the "Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest." message, as well as earned media. The earned media component will work to get consistent messaging throughout the campaign. Highlights include a media release by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in mid-December naming counties with the highest numbers of OVI (Operating a Vehicle under the Influence) arrests, continued participation and partnership with MADD in their annual "Tie One On For Safety" Red Ribbon campaign, and a highly publicized corridor enforcement project planned for Dec. 18 on State Route 4, a north/south route that runs the length of the state from the riverbank in Cincinnati to the lake side in Sandusky.
• Oregon—Oregon kicked off the holidays with a proclamation by Governor Kulongoski declaring December to be "Drinking and Drugged Driving Awareness" month. Additionally, police agencies are conducting saturation patrols throughout the state in high impact areas. These saturation patrols are supported by paid media and conducted by multi-agency law enforcement activities. The Governor's Advisory Committee on DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) is holding a press conference to alert the public that law enforcement will be targeting impaired drivers.
• Pennsylvania—Pennsylvania is conducting increased DUI enforcement throughout the month of December as part of the Operation Safe Holiday campaign. With DUI serving as the primary focus, State and Municipal Police are targeting locations where seat belt usage and aggressive driving are both problems. Over 600 municipal police and all State Police Troops are expected to participate. Last year during the holiday crackdown, 262 DUI, 217 speeding, and 52 occupant protection citations were written. It is hoped that increased participation from more police departments will have an even greater impact this year. Press conferences and other public awareness events are occurring in all 11 of PennDOT’s Districts. Video message boards statewide are displaying the “Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” message as well.
• Rhode Island—The Rhode Island Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is conducting an aggressive media campaign to coincide with its overtime enforcement activities throughout the crackdown period. Other recent activities include: a major alcohol press event at Halloween; MADD's Red Ribbon announcement; and the Governor's bill signing for a new mandatory BAC testing law change.
• South Carolina—South Carolina's campaign, Sober or Slammer!, combines enforcement and paid/earned media to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities in the state. The SC Department of Public Safety's Office of Highway Safety's $250,000 media effort features two 30-second back-to-back television spots. The first shows an impaired driver running a stop sign, striking and running over two skaters, and being arrested for DUI. This is followed by a heavy enforcement spot, with quotes from South Carolinians on their attitudes about impaired driving. The Highway Patrol and the State Transport Police are partnering with local law enforcement to engage in aggressive DUI enforcement using public safety checkpoints and saturation patrols from Dec. 16 – Jan. 3. The SC DOT is using variable message boards statewide to alert the public that a DUI crackdown is in progress. The Office of Highway Safety kicks off the holiday crackdown during the 2009 Law Enforcement DUI Challenge Ceremony on December 16, when up to 16 equipped Dodge Chargers and two equipped Chevrolet Tahoes will be awarded to the winning agencies that fully participated in the 2009 Law Enforcement DUI Challenge.
• South Dakota—For the month of December through January 3, the Office of Highway Safety is using public education and enforcement to reduce drinking and driving traffic crashes. Paid media for the Act Civilized campaign includes a kickoff with a press release and public education on TV, radio, billboards, print materials and at sporting events encouraging people to “Act Civilized. Call a D.D.” People can sign up at www.actcivilized.com/ to get text messages about enforcement activities and alternative transportation information. The State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies are committing personnel to increased impaired driving enforcement activities.
• Tennessee—The Tennessee Governor's Highway Safety Office has purchased media marketing that began running November 30 and will run through January 3. A high visibility enforcement campaign takes place simultaneously with the marketing buy. A National "Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month" press conference is being held Dec. 3, and a statewide press release is being distributed.
  
• Texas—Statewide broadcast and online TV channels are featuring TxDOT's "Reindeer Barn" public service announcement. A Spanish-language radio buy is running in several cities. In addition, several interactive vehicles are planned. Social media networks such as Facebook and MySpace deliver a designated driver message to core audiences. Websites such as Evite.com, Hulu.com and local entertainment guides are increasing the reach and frequency during the holiday season. All Over Media and eCast have provided paid media space within bars and restaurants. Advertising space on mirrors, restroom video and poster boards and interactive jukeboxes offer alternatives to drinking and driving to potential impaired drivers, and 1.5 million coasters are being distributed to bars and restaurants through the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Texas Restaurant Association and TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialists. In mid-November, TxDOT sent holiday mailings offering campaign materials to the National Safety Council employer program, Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and - new this year - the Texas Package Stores Association. Impaired Driving Mobilization enforcement is being conducted by law enforcement at locations across the state. For more information, visit www.txdot.gov/safety/holiday.htm.
• Utah—The Utah Highway Safety Office is collaborating with a local car dealership, Larry H. Miller Honda, to conduct a media event on Dec. 17. The event will feature two cars (one a crashed car) on display with a sign that reads "Go from here (the good car) - to here (the crashed car) in just a few drinks " and a two-sided banner that reads "Our cars perform much better alcohol free. Please don't drink and drive." The banner will be left up until January 1. Guest speakers include Mayor Dan Snarr, Murray City; Steve Winward, DUI Commander, Utah Highway Patrol; and John Freeman, Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The Davis and Salt Lake Multi-Agency Task Forces law enforcement representatives will be in attendance. DUI checkpoints and high visibility enforcement saturation patrols are running throughout the state from Dec. 17 - Jan. 1.
  
• Vermont—Vermont has provided grant funding for law enforcement agencies to use to jump start the holiday crackdown. In addition, the state has 'tuned-up' its DUI vans with some replacement checkpoint sign packages, repairs, and a makeover of the vans' look. Vermont is activating its DUI Task Force in four areas of the state, putting 16 officers out for at least one detail in four different areas. Teams are encouraged to invite media representatives for ride-alongs during part of their shifts. Mailings are going out to 53 police departments, 14 sheriff's departments, four constables and 14 state police facilities plus the two branches of the traffic operations unit. A minimum of 30 police departments and all, or most, of the other groups are expected to sign up.
• Virginia—Virginia is actively participating in the NHTSA Region 3 partnership Checkpoint Strikeforce. With massive checkpoints and saturation patrols being held in every state in the region, impaired drivers are being put on notice that they will be caught and they will be arrested. The Commonwealth of Virginia also is continuing the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers as part of Checkpoint Strikeforce, urging people to decide ahead of time who will Be A HERO, Be A Designated Driver. In addition, the Virginia based Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is, for the 27th year, sponsoring the "SoberRide" program. This program offers free cab rides in the Washington metro area as well as Northern Virginia. Since 1993, when record-keeping began, WRAP has provided 44,635 would be drunk drivers free and safe transportation home.
• Washington—The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has launched a $800,000 campaign to support high visibility DUI enforcement throughout the year, including during the holidays, over St. Patrick’s Day, during a summer kick off and around the 4th of July. The campaign includes highly visible saturation patrols conducted by more than 140 law enforcement agencies; as well as a $400,000 media promotion. Paid media features TV and radio buys, illuminated posters, billboards, gas pump toppers, and advertising on dartboards in bars, as well as online gaming ads on XBox 360 Live. Earned media campaigns alerting drivers to the increased DUI enforcement are conducted at the county level by the Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Forces.
• West Virginia—The West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program is conducting an enforcement blitz throughout December, with emphasis on the Christmas through New Year's time period. This includes an increased number of all three types of sobriety checkpoints: standard checkpoints, with 12 or more police officers on the major roads; low manpower checkpoints on the secondary and rural roads; and phantom checkpoint in areas where other types are not feasible. The number of saturation and directed patrols also is being increased. West Virginia encourages local police agencies to engage in multi-jurisdictional activities and to mix the types of checkpoints and other enforcement activities to emphasize the police presence throughout the state. The 2009 Holiday Crackdown marks the first time that West Virginia will be using paid media outside of the Labor Day national crackdown.
• Wisconsin—Wisconsin's Booze and Belts enforcement period runs from Dec. 7-15. Agencies involved include approximately 140 unfunded law enforcement agencies, 50 Alcohol Enforcement Grant recipients, 50 Speed Enforcement Grant recipients, and 50 Occupant Protection Enforcement Grant recipients. A media buy accompanies the enforcement period. Over the actual holiday period, state law enforcement agencies are deploying all available traffic patrol resources in anticipation of increased traffic volumes and subsequent holiday impairment. Over this period, law enforcement officers typically make more 1,500 arrests for drunk driving in Wisconsin.
• Wyoming—Wyoming has 48 local law enforcement agencies contracted to work overtime this holiday season (Nov. 30 - Dec.31), representing approximately 47% of all the local agencies. The Wyoming Highway Patrol is also working during this time period, extending the coverage to statewide. The media tag line is "Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest." Television, radio and print media support both the enforcement message and social norming messages. Media is multi-layered: WYDOT Public Affairs handles statewide coverage; WYDOT Districts handle district and local coverage; and Safe Communities handle local messages. In addition, a Safe Community kickoff (with city officials and law enforcement agencies throughout the Natrona County area) was held Nov. 24, with the message that being involved in a DUI related crash "can happen to you." Packets of pertinent information were provided. The community has also rallied around the public and enforcement campaign message of "Open Season on Drunk Drivers - Call 9-1-1," which is being provided on flashing signs at business, orange flyers in merchandise bags, posters in men's restrooms and table tents at bars, encouraging citizens to report drunk drivers and plan for alternative transportation if drinking. A Tipsy Taxi service is available December 1 through the first of the year.

Related Links

• GHSA News Release
• NHTSA News Release
• Drunk Driving Laws