Swampscott Police Announce Additional Drunk Driving Patrols

SWAMPSCOTT, MA - The Swampscott Police Department will be boosting drunk driving patrols this holiday season thanks to a special grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).

“Drivers impaired by any drug, including marijuana or alcohol, are a major threat to the safety of our roads,” said Chief Madigan of the Swampscott Police Department. “Our officers will be stopping any motorist who is exhibiting signs of impairment, or driving in a dangerous manner.”

According to Jeff Larason, Director of the EOPSS Highway Safety Division, 119 people died last year due to impaired driving.

“As part of this year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign we are asking drivers to acknowledge the responsibility they have to their passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists on the road with them, to drive without impairment of any kind,” said Larason. “Plan ahead before you celebrate this holiday
season and designate a sober driver, use a ride sharing service, or stay where you are – whatever it takes to avoid getting behind the wheel.”

• From 2015 to 2016, alcohol impaired driving fatalities in MA increased 9 percent (from
• 109 to 119).
• On average, 800 people have been killed nationally in December crashes involving
• drivers with BACs over the legal limit since 2012
• Marijuana or marijuana-type drugs were the most prevalent types of drugs found in
• drivers killed in crashes in MA from 2011 to 2015.
• Drivers using marijuana demonstrated decreased car handling performance, increased
• reaction times, impaired time and distance estimation, sleepiness and decreased motor
• skill coordination (NHTSA).
• Mixing alcohol and marijuana may dramatically produce effects greater than either drug on its own (NHTSA).