The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched its annual winter holiday enforcement mobilization campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” This year, the campaign emphasizes the importance of planning ahead with the message, “Don’t Pass on a Sober Ride.”

Alcohol-impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of fatal traffic incidents in the United States, particularly during the holiday season. According to NHTSA, 13,524 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2022, accounting for 32% of all traffic fatalities. On average, one life was lost every 39 minutes due to such incidents last year.

The campaign was officially launched at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman joined by Col. Jeff Glover, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety and President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; Matt Leinart, a Heisman Trophy winner and Fox Sports college football analyst; and Tara Repka Flores, an advocate for impaired driving prevention.

Deputy Administrator Shulman called on drivers to take responsibility during the holiday season, urging, “Plan a safe and sober ride home. If you drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, you’re putting yourself and others at risk, and the consequences can be devastating. Let’s make this holiday season memorable for all the right reasons.”

In addition to its primary message, the campaign also promotes the slogan, “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI.” This aligns with the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which aims to significantly reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities with the ultimate goal of achieving zero road deaths.

The campaign is supported by a $14 million national media investment, running from December 11, 2024, through January 1, 2025, with TV, radio, and digital advertisements. High-visibility enforcement efforts will see law enforcement agencies partnering with communities to deter alcohol- and drug-impaired driving throughout the holiday period.

NHTSA advises all drivers to plan ahead, arrange for a safe ride home, and always wear a seat belt. Impaired driving, whether caused by alcohol or drugs, remains illegal across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The agency also encourages the public to report impaired drivers by calling 911.

Find more from NHTSA (USA, December 2024)

In 2022, 184 people were killed in crashes that involved one or more drunk drivers during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

If you’ve been drinking:
🚘 Call a sober friend
🚗 Rideshare
🚖 Taxi

Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. pic.twitter.com/Jt57LRKOQz

— nhtsagov (@NHTSAgov) November 29, 2024

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