Stoneham Police To Increase Presence For Holiday Safety

From the Stoneham Police Department:

STONEHAM, MA — As you celebrate the holiday season enjoying traditions, food, family and fun, be reminded that Stoneham Police will be out in force this month to protect the Commonwealth’s citizens by arresting anyone caught behind the wheel operating under the influence. Stoneham will join many other eligible local law enforcement agencies and the MA State Police to run extra patrols through the New Year as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, funded by a federal grant administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS-HSD).

The Stoneham Police are giving fair warning to all partygoers. “You’ll see us making lots of stops during this highly visible enforcement period and if we suspect anyone is driving while intoxicated, officers will take enforcement action,” said Detective Lieutenant David J. Stefanelli.

The message is simple: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Drinking alcohol and driving do not mix. If you plan to consume alcohol, you should also plan not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired by alcohol and / or drugs is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does alcohol and /or drugs impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. Prior to going out, choose a Designated Driver (DD). Too often the DD is not selected before the group sets out to drink. The choice becomes an after-thought by the inebriated group. Frequently, the decision is based on the group member who is perceived to be the least drunk. The dangers of this approach are very real.

Designated Driver Tips:

• Recruit Designated Drivers before the festivities begin. Larger groups require more than one DD. Make sure it is someone you trust not to drink.
• Have the DD agree to not drink before or during the outing.
• Take your turn in the future. Take care of friends and they will take care of you. What are friends for?
• Give your vehicle keys to the designated driver before you start drinking.
• Pay attention to the designated driver and don't let them feel left out of the fun.
• If you are the designated driver and someone offers you a drink, state as a matter of fact "No thanks, I’m driving."
• If your DD is likely to be chosen by default at the end of the evening, don’t choose whomever appears least drunk. Get a cab, Uber or call a sober friend or parent.

Unfortunately, the excitement and celebrations of the holiday season can lead to terrible decisions, and serious legal consequences. Data shows that the holiday season is a particularly deadly time due to the increased number of impaired drivers on the roads.

There is no holiday cheer behind the bars of a jail cell. Don’t let your 2016 holiday season end in an arrest or worse; death or injury. Remember, whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk.

The December holiday season can be the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ and we are going to do our part to keep our roads safe for travelers heading to visit friends and family, Please do your part by not getting behind the wheel while impaired.

For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety

Image via Stoneham Police Department