The holidays are upon us! Time for fellowship, family and fun. According to AAA, approximately 93.6 million people will take a holiday road trip this holiday season. Because your family is important to us, the Anna Police Department wants to insure you arrive alive. Thanks in part to a grant provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Anna Police Department will increase DWI patrols along its roadways between December 15, 2016 and January 1, 2017.
According to TxDOT, “During the 2015-2016 Christmas Holiday Season (Dec. 1, 2015 to Jan. 1, 2016), there were 2,374 alcohol-related traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 102 fatalities and 205 serious injuries. The year prior, alcohol-related traffic crashes equaled 2,417, 112 of those resulted in fatalities. The Anna Police Department wants to do its part to help insure these number keep declining.
DWI arrests are costly. Recent estimates put the cost of a first-time DWI arrest at nearly $17,000. This does not include costs associated with lost time from work, vehicle impound/storage fees, or the emotional costs on your family. Lt. Caponera urges people to plan ahead. “Bring along a designated driver or make arrangements to have a taxi or Uber pick you up.” TxDOT is urging people to visit Soberrides.org to plan your ride home.
Together we can make this holiday season merry and bright, report those who you believe may be driving intoxicated immediately, the life you save could be your own! Remember, arrive alive – don’t drink and drive!