“The start of the holiday season marks a busy time for travel, with people visiting friends and family, and attending parties and other festivities,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The Holiday Task Force will be out in full force to ensure the roads are safe. I am asking everyone to do their part. If you plan to celebrate with alcohol or cannabis, plan ahead to stay off the roads. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the holidays and get home safely.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from 2018-22, more than 830 people nationwide died in crashes involving a drunk driver. The biggest risk factor for fatalities in a car crash is not wearing a seatbelt. In 2022, 32 percent of drivers who were alcohol-impaired in fatal drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday were between the ages of 21 to 34. More than 40 percent of car crash fatalities over the 2022 Thanksgiving holiday weekend involved unsecured passengers.
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“The day before Thanksgiving is one of the deadliest days for impaired driving because of the high number of people traveling and choosing to drive while impaired,” said MCPD Police Chief Marc Yamada. “Drivers should be aware that our Holiday Task Force will be out on the roads to enhance traffic safety and will stop anyone suspected of driving while impaired. I urge motorists to plan ahead for a safe ride home and to call 911 immediately if you see someone who may be driving under the influence.”
For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46209