Celebrate Responsibly — Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
The holidays have arrived. As you make plans to celebrate with friends and family, also make plans to have a safe ride home by designating a sober driver or using a rideshare service. Don’t spend your holidays in jail, or worse, in an ambulance.
Increased patrols in Missoula will be out in force in the weeks leading up to Christmas and through the New Year’s holiday watching for impaired drivers and educating motorists as part of their commitment to keeping Montana roads safe for everyone.
“The holidays are a wonderful time for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately, they can also be a deadly time for some Montana families,” said Sergeant Michael Hebert. “It’s up to all of us to celebrate responsibly, and that means never driving impaired, always wearing your seat belt, and making sure your friends and family do the same.”
In data collected by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) as of December 13, 2021, there have been 231 lives lost compared to 198 fatalities for this same period in 2020. Of those deaths, 130 have been due to impaired driving, and 118 have been due to improper restraint.
Consequences of drunk driving include a DUI on your record, a revoked driver’s license, mandatory classes, possible jail time, probation, and up to $10,000 in fines. Report suspected impaired drivers by dialing 911, and always wear your seat belt, as it continues to be the best defense against impaired drivers.