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Coming off one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel seasons, Americans getting ready to go on the move for the Christmas and New Year holidays. AAA estimates that a record-breaking 112.5 million travelers - more than a third of all Americans - are expected to visit family and friends for the holiday.
AAA estimates that an estimated 102 million of those travelers will be doing so by car.
In response, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and local law enforcement agencies, including the Carmel and Kent police departments, are teaming to participate in a special STOP-DWI enforcement detail to cut down on impaired drivers. There will be an increased number of checkpoints in the area and police are expected to ramp up DWI enforcement patrols.
According to the Sheriff's Office, "research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem." The STOP-DWI crackdown will continue until New Year's Day.
To avoid getting a ticket, police said that motorists should:
- Drive the speed limit;
- Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you;
- Ensure that all passengers are wearing seatbelts;
- Signal when turning, changing lanes or taking an exit;
- Refrain from texting or using your phone;
- Never consume alcoholic beverages or drugs, including those legally prescribed, before you get behind the wheel;
- Immediately reduce speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit or move over one lane (whenever safe to do so) whenever law enforcement, fire trucks, ambulances or tow trucks are occupying a lane. Please give them room to do their job efficiently and safely.
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