As the holiday season arrives and winter weather settles in across Central Oregon, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Drivers will see increased patrols on local roads through New Year’s Eve as part of a nationwide effort to prevent impaired driving and keep communities safe.
Drunk driving is illegal, dangerous, and especially risky during the winter months when road conditions can already be hazardous. With holiday gatherings and celebrations underway, Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies will be out to ensure drivers are making safe choices behind the wheel.
“We want everyone in Deschutes County to enjoy a safe and joyful holiday season,” said Sheriff Ty Rupert. “That means planning ahead, driving sober, and looking out for one another. Our deputies will be increasing patrols to help prevent tragedies before they happen.”
Why It Matters
- Even one drink can impair your ability to drive safely
- A DUI can cost you $10,000 or more in fines, legal fees, and lost wages
- Alcohol-related crashes cost the U.S. $57 billion annually
- You could lose your license, your vehicle, and even your job
- You risk taking the lives of others and even yourself
Plan Ahead This Holiday Season
- Drive 100% sober. Even one drink is too many
- Designate a sober driver before you start celebrating
- Use a taxi, rideshare, or public transit to get home safely
- Report drunk drivers to law enforcement
- Stop friends from driving impaired — take their keys and help them get home safely
Let’s make this season one to remember for all the right reasons. For more information on impaired driving prevention, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.