[STATE/COMMUNITY] LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO TARGET IMPAIRED DRIVERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Local Authorities Give Notice:
You Drink & Drive. You Lose.

WHAT:

Between December 17^th and December 19^th , local authorities will be out in force to target impaired drivers as a part of the national You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign. Law enforcement agencies will conduct saturation patrols and set up sobriety checkpoints and youth sting operations. Drivers found to be impaired will be subject to strong sanctions, which could include fines, restrictions on their driver’s licenses and possible imprisonment. All others will receive informational safety materials.

WHO:

[SPONSORING ORGANIZATION] is one of hundreds of local law enforcement agencies across the country that has signed-on to participate in the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. enforcement period of Operation C.A.R.E (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in partnership with the National Association of Governors Highway Safety Representatives, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the National Sheriffs’ Association. NHTSA has set a national goal of decreasing the annual number of fatalities attributed to impaired driving to no more than 11,000 by the year 2005.

HOW:

Authorities will conduct saturation patrols and set up sobriety checkpoints and sting operations aimed at preventing the sale of alcohol to minors. Violators will be subject to immediate arrest.

WHEN:

Enforcement period activities will begin December 17^th and continue through December 19^th.

WHERE:

[SPONSORING ORGANIZATION] will be conducting various activities throughout the weekend. We encourage area media to take part in the enforcement period by sending camera crews and reporters to cover activities. Local authorities and alcohol enforcement specialists will be on hand to explain relevant procedures and relay traffic safety information. For more information about specific locations and times, please contact [LOCAL CONTACT NAME] at [LOCAL CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER].