Police ramping up patrols during winter holidays

With the winter holiday season ushering in parties and festivities, law enforcement agencies from across the state will be on the lookout to ensure everyone stays safe on the road.

The Safe Family Travel campaign continues through the end of the year. During the traffic safety blitz, police will look for impaired driving, aggressive driving, and improper seat belt use. The high-visibility enforcement campaign is funded with grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

“This holiday season, the Safe Family Travel campaign is a timely reminder to drive safely,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Whether by designating a sober driver, obeying the speed limit, or making sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up, small choices can make a big difference.”

Alcohol-impaired driving is deadly and continues to be a factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holidays. At the same time, failure to wear seatbelts continues to be a leading cause of preventable crash fatalities.

“Unsafe driving behaviors don’t just put your life at risk; they endanger everyone on the road,” said James Bryan, Traffic Safety Director for ICJI. “Driving responsibly is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Tips for staying safe this holiday season

• Never drive impaired. Always designate a sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare service if you plan to drink.
• Wear your seatbelt. Indiana law requires the driver and all passengers to buckle up. Children under age eight must be properly restrained in a federally approved child car or booster seat.
• Obey speed limits. When you speed, your ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve is reduced.
• Stay focused. Distracted driving comes in many forms, but texting and cell phone use while driving has become the most prevalent type of distracted driving.

For more safety tips, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving. To learn more about the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, visit www.cji.in.gov.