CONTACT #1:
Deputy Cocha Heyden, Public Information Officer,
303-660-7586,
pgr 303-826-7822
CONTACT #2:
RELEASE DATE: 12/22/08 RELEASE TIME: CASE NUMBER:
WHAT: Douglas County Sheriff Encourages All to Drive Extra Safe During Holiday Season
NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY: Douglas County Sheriff David A. Weaver encourages everyone, especially young drivers, to drive extra safe this holiday season and to use common sense when celebrating with friends and family.
According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers 21-24 years of age have the highest number of alcohol impaired fatal crashes during the month of December. When they reviewed fatalities in crashes involving 21- to 24-year old drivers during the last two weeks of December from 20022006, nearly 4 fatalities out of every 10 were in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Unfortunately the research also addresses the high representation of impaired drivers in the 15 – 20 year old group.
“The holiday season is a time when families and loved ones come together to enjoy the holidays and celebrate the New Year. Many of these family members are children returning home from college and may travel a long distance. Remind all drivers to use common sense when it comes to celebrating and making choices about getting behind the wheel to drive home. This will hopefully lend to a happy holiday season, not one marred by alcohol related fatalities”, stated Sheriff Weaver.
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