Plan Before You Party: Designate A Sober Driver


Charles County Sheriff's Office Warns Citizens About Impaired Driving

What is the most important element of any summer party? The answer, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials: a sober driver.

The "100 Days of Summer" represent one of the most dangerous and deadliest times of the year on the nation's roadways because a significant increase in the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes and fatalities. That's why the Sheriff's Office, NHTSA and other public safety agencies are joining forces to aggressively remind anyone planning on using alcohol this summer to plan before you party and designate a sober driver.

"Our goal this summer is to remind everyone, whether they are heading out to the beach, the lake or the mountains, to the ballpark, to a concert or a to barbecue or picnic with friends, if they plan on using alcohol, they need to designate a sober driver before they get started. That is obviously the most effective way to prevent alcohol-related crashes," said Charles County Sheriff Frederick E. Davis.

The increase in alcohol use throughout the summer and particularly around major holiday weekends - beginning with Memorial Day, through the 4th of July and ending with Labor Day - has made the summer a very grim time for law enforcement, emergency medical staff, highway safety officials and the friends and families of alcohol-related crash victims. If you do become impaired by alcohol, the Charles County Sheriff's Office reminds you to ask a sober friend for a ride home, use mass transit, call a cab, ask a friend or family member to come get you or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober. And in addition to making the right decision, sober drivers can help keep the roadways safe by reporting drivers they believe could be intoxicated to the Sheriff's Office and by remembering friends don't let friends drive drunk.

"Preventing alcohol-related crashes is a team effort, and the Sheriff's Office promises to do our part to keep our roadways safe, too," said Sheriff Davis. "When impaired drivers get behind the wheel, they put their lives and the lives of all their fellow motorists at risk. Our officers are committed to finding impaired drivers and stopping them before they cause a serious or fatal crash."

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