Full Notification

Hollister, California - December 6, 2018 - The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are ways to spend time with family and friends ringing in another year, but also a time when people can make poor choices that put themselves and others at risk on the road.

To help spread the message about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, the Hollister Police Department is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to get impaired drivers off roads.

During the high-visibility enforcement campaign Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, which runs from Dec. 14-Jan. 1, the Hollister Police Department will have officers on the road conducting patrols looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“Whether you are home with family or at the bar, it is important that you to have a plan and pre-designate a sober driver,” said Chief Westrick, it is up to you to make adult decisions and drive sober or use a ride share service. Driving after drinking is preventable, there are no acceptable excuses.”

The Hollister Police Department also reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Marijuana, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

During the 2017 Christmas (Dec. 22-25) and New Year’s (Dec. 30-Jan. 2) holiday periods, 25 people were killed and 643 injured on California roads, according to data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS).