In a continued effort to keep Massachusetts roadways safe, the Dedham Police, along with Massachusetts State Police, today announced the start of the “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” Mobilization. The statewide effort involving extra traffic enforcement and public information will run throughout the holiday season from Dec. 11, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010.
Drunk driving is a serious crime. In Massachusetts, a first offense for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) is punishable with a fine of up to $5,000 or by imprisonment for up to two and a half years, or both.
Our officers will be out cracking down on drunk drivers around the clock. We know that the holidays, with all the parties and family gatherings, provide opportunities to consume alcohol. We want people to enjoy themselves, but we want them to be smart, safe and – if they are driving – absolutely sober.
The advice is basic: don’t drink and drive. Yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 120 people died in substance-related vehicle crashes in Massachusetts in 2008. This statewide effort, funded by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security with $660,000 in federal grant funding, aims to reduce that number.
During this mobilization, the Dedham Police are joining over 210 other local police departments and Massachusetts State Police to crack down on drunk drivers across the Commonwealth. For more information, go to www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.
