Let’s Drive Sober So We All Make It Home for the Holidays

Olympia, WA — The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) are reminding all Washingtonians to prioritize safety and make the responsible choice to drive sober or secure a sober ride home this holiday season. Impaired driving remains a leading contributor in fatal crashes in Washington.

To increase safety and keep impaired drivers off the roads, law enforcement agencies across the state will be conducting extra DUI patrols from December 13th through New Year’s Day.

“The holidays are a special time for so many,” said WSP Chief John Batiste. “We want everyone to be able to spend this time with their loved ones, and in order to do that, we all need to make good, safe choices to drive sober.”

In 2023, 78 people were killed in traffic crashes in Washington between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. WSP and WTSC urge everyone to plan ahead for a sober ride home before drinking. Families shouldn’t have to experience the heartbreak of losing loved ones around the holidays due to a completely preventable tragedy.

“Every decision to drive sober is a decision to save lives,” said Shelly Baldwin, WTSC Director. “We all share the road, and we all share the responsibility of keeping it safe. Impairment begins with the first drink, and even small amounts of alcohol can have devastating consequences.”

Research shows that everyone is too impaired to drive safely with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 percent or higher. At this level, drivers are twice as likely to be involved in a crash compared to those who are sober.

For more information on impaired driving and safety resources, visit https://www.togetherwegetthere.com/impaired-driving/.