OHS’s Safe Family Holiday and SoberLift Launch

Campaigns reinforce increased dangers associated with holiday driving during one of the busiest travel times of the year and the importance of safe driving behaviors

DOVER, Del. (Nov. 26, 2019)The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has announced the launch of its new Safe Family Holiday Campaign with a kick-off event on Monday, November 25. The campaign, which runs through Wednesday, January 1, 2020, reinforces the importance of safe driving habits during one of the busiest travel times of the year. Through a combination of tactics – high visibility enforcement, traditional media, social media, and grassroots efforts partnering with restaurants, businesses, and other traffic safety partners – OHS will educate Delawareans about the increased dangers associated with holiday driving to reduce crashes and fatalities on Delaware roadways during the holiday season.

“Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day is one of the most dangerous periods on Delaware roadways with drivers, passengers, and pedestrians being seriously or fatally injured in crashes,” said Director Kim Chesser, OHS. “Our Safe Family Holiday campaign is a creative awareness, educational, and enforcement campaign that reminds Delawareans of what makes holiday travel so dangerous. Most importantly, it also encourages everyone to drive sober, walk smart, slow down, buckle up and put the phone down. OHS, along with our traffic safety partners, want to bring everyone home safe this holiday season.”

In order to view yesterday’s press event and kick-off for the Safe Family Holiday campaign and SoberLift program launch, please click below:

Safe Family Holiday Statewide Events

Carolers will be on-site at the following prominent community events and locations throughout the state, performing their newest round of holiday favorites with a unique safety-messaging twist. They will be joined by street teams that will encourage those in attendance to pledge responsible driving during the holidays.

  • Saturday, Dec. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Winter WonderFEST2019 in Milton, Delaware
  • Sunday, Dec. 8 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Christmas In Smyrna at the Smyrna Opera House in Smyrna, Delaware
  • Monday, Dec. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Caroling on the Circle in Georgetown, Delaware
  • Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware
  • Saturday, Dec. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Dover Mall in Dover, Delaware

Thanksgiving 2019 SoberLift Program – Statewide

In addition to Safe Family Holiday, OHS is pleased to announce its reactivation of the SoberLift program, in partnership with Lyft®, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, statewide. The program will begin on Wednesday, November 27, at 3 p.m. and run through Sunday, December 1, at 2 a.m., and will provide free Lyft® vouchers* (maximum value of $15) for individuals who want a safe ride during that period. To participate in the program, individuals need to text “SOBERLIFT” to 99000 to redeem the discount code.

Campaign sponsors include: Breakthru Beverage DE, Captain Morgan, Two Stones, Buffalo Wild Wings, Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen, First State Brew Bus, Kelly’s Logan House, Washington Street Ale House/Oyster House, Wilmington Blue Rocks, Delaware Department of Insurance, Dewey Business Partnership, Bluecoast Seafood and Grill Rehoboth, The Starboard, Liquid Alchemy Brewing, and Aloysius Butler & Clark (AB&C).

“Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, thus making it one of the most dangerous nights,” adds Chesser. “We want to make sure that everyone arrives alive to their Thanksgiving and post-Thanksgiving celebrations. This is why we are reactivating SoberLift statewide and strongly urge those out celebrating to plan ahead and take advantage of this program.”

Thanksgiving Eve DUI Checkpoint

The Office of Highway Safety is coordinating the 2019 Thanksgiving Eve Checkpoint Strikeforce in each county statewide on November 27, from 10 PM to November 28, at 2 AM. The initiative will reinforce the Safe Family Holiday enforcement and educational campaigns to keep impaired drivers off our roads. Delaware State Police and local law enforcement will be conducting DUI checkpoints in all three counties in the following locations:

  • New Castle County – RT 72 in Newark
  • Kent County – South State Street in Dover
  • Sussex County – SR 1 in Rehoboth Beach 

Safe Family Holiday Enforcements

The annual Safe Family Holiday enforcement period will be ongoing throughout the state from November 25 to January 1 with Delaware State Police and local law enforcement agencies focusing on impaired driving, speed, pedestrian safety, occupant protection, and distracted driving.

Statistics

Recent statistics emphasize why OHS is focusing on these core areas of travel safety during this campaign.

  • DUIs: From January 1 to November 21, 2019, the state of Delaware has seen 3,722 arrests and 18 fatalities related to impaired driving.
  • Speeding: Last year (2018) Delaware had 34 fatalities related to speed.
  • Pedestrians: Over the past 5 years, 145 pedestrians have been killed in traffic crashes; in 2018, 24 pedestrians were killed in crashes on Delaware roadways.
  • Failure to use seatbelts: Last year (2018) 53% of fatalities were unbuckled. 

*The number of daily codes, available between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m., will be limited.

You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by clicking on:

Delaware Office of Highway Safety Web Site

Facebook

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Contact: Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist II & Public Information Officer, Office of Highway Safety | (302) 744-2743 or Cynthia.Cavett@Delaware.Gov.

 

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com.


Halloween 2019 DUI Checkpoint Results

(Dover, Del.) October 28, 2019 – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) coordinated DUI checkpoints in all three counties on Saturday, October, 26th, from 10 p.m. until Sunday, October 27th, at 2 a.m. the following morning.

Working together with the Delaware State Police and local law enforcement, OHS supported three DUI checkpoints across the state.

OHS is pleased to report that Checkpoint Strikeforce was extremely successful. The statewide media coverage was a deterrent that discouraged many impaired drivers from taking to the highways. In Delaware, officers made 10 DUI arrests and netted an additional 44 traffic arrests or citations for various infractions, including 15 seatbelt assessments, and 7 drug arrests.

“OHS thanks the Delaware State Police and local law enforcement agencies who manned the checkpoints to keep impaired drivers off of our roadways,” – Kimberly Chesser, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

OHS will coordinate the next Checkpoint Strikeforce effort on November 20, 2019. Three DUI checkpoints will occur statewide to deter individuals from driving while impaired.

You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by visiting:
Delaware Office of Highway Safety Web Site
Facebook

Twitter
Instagram

Media Contact:
Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist II & Public Information Officer
Delaware Office of Highway Safety
Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov
302-744-2740

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 About the Delaware Office of Highway SafetyPicture of Drive Sober, Arrive Alive DEThe Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com.


Halloween DUI Checkpoint – Statewide Activation

OHS Activates Operation Checkpoint StrikeForce For All 3 counties This Weekend

Picture of Drive Sober, Arrive Alive DE

Dover, Del. (October 25, 2019) – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is coordinating Operation Checkpoint Strikeforce in each county statewide for Halloween weekend. This zero-tolerance initiative in Delaware, implemented since 2002, is designed to get impaired drivers off of our roads using checkpoints and patrols. The initiative also aims to educate drivers on the dangers and consequences of driving impaired including injury, death, and over $6,000 in fines (for the first DUI).

 

During Halloween Weekend, Delaware State Police and local law enforcement will be conducting DUI checkpoints in all three counties on Saturday, October 26th, into Sunday morning, October 27th, from 10 PM to 2 AM, as follows:

  • US-40 in Newark
  • US-13 in Dover
  • Sussex Highway in Seaford

So far in 2019, there are 16 confirmed DUI fatalities (note: this number is not final as there are crashes still under investigation for impairment).

“This year, Halloween falls on a Thursday, so we’re certain to see extra celebrations throughout this weekend, and everyone celebrating should plan to ensure a ride home,” said Kimberly Chesser, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “If you plan to drink, there are many options for a safe ride home. Have a friend designated as a sober driver, or use a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft.”

In addition to the Halloween Weekend Checkpoint Strikeforce, OHS wants to remind the public of best practices for a safe night on the roads this Halloween:

  • If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
  • Find a safe ride statewide from the OHS Safe Ride resource link https://www.arrivealivede.com/Drive-Sober/Safe-Rides#wilmington.
  • If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
  • Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely. They’re worth it.
  • For more information on the consequences of driving impaired, visit https://www.arrivealivede.com/Drive-Sober/Consequences.

You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by clicking on:

Delaware Office of Highway Safety Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube Arrive Alive DE Channel

LinkedIn

Media Contacts:
Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist II & Public Information Officer
Delaware Office of Highway Safety
Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov
302-744-2740

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About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com.

 


Results of July 12th 2019 Impaired Driving Checkpoints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2019

Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist II and Public Information Officer (OHS)

Cynthia.Cavett@Delaware.Gov

Results of July 12th Impaired Driving Checkpoints

Over 60 Law Enforcement Officers operated

July Checkpoint StrikeForce 

 

Dover, DE (July 19, 2019) – Three DUI checkpoints in all three counties were set up on July 12, 2019, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. as part of our Checkpoint StrikeForce mobilization. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is pleased to report that the operation was successful.

Totals for the three checkpoints are listed below:
Total cars through checkpoints: 2,536
DUI arrests: 7
Seatbelt assessments: 28
Cell phone/distracted: 6
Child restraint arrests: 7
Wanted person apprehensions: 8
Drug arrests: 15
Other traffic arrests: 72
Other criminal arrests: 4

 

The Office of Highway Safety had the opportunity to monitor operations in Kent and Sussex counties and observe positive officer interaction. The Office of Highway Safety thanks the Delaware State Police and our local law enforcement partners for assisting during Operation Checkpoint StrikeForce and their unrelenting commitment to improving the safety of Delaware’s roadways,”Christopher Klein, Acting Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

Frequently asked questions on the consequences of life after a DUI can be found at http://www.arrivealivede.com/Drive-Sober/FAQs.  For more information on Delaware DUI fatalities and arrests, visit http://www.arrivealivede.com/DriveSober.

You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by clicking on:
Delaware Office of Highway Safety Web Site
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

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About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com.

 

        Picture of checkpoint strikeforce and red hand print Picture of Drive Sober, Arrive Alive DEPicture of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety Logo


Statewide DUI Checkpoints – Friday, July 12, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist & Public Information Officer
Delaware Office of Highway Safety
Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov
302-744-2743

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is activating Checkpoint StrikeForce across the state on

Friday, July 12th into Saturday morning, July 13th

Dover, DE (July 12, 2019) – While the summer continues to heat up, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety urges everyone to plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home. Don’t let the party end tragically by drinking and/or consuming drugs and getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Checkpoint StrikeForce is being activated this weekend, which is one of the tools used to reduce impairment-related crashes in our state. Its success is due to the collective efforts from multiple law enforcement agencies and partners throughout each of our counties.

The Delaware State Police, local, and county police departments, will be coordinating DUI checkpoints in all three counties on Friday, July 12, into Saturday morning, July 13, from 10 PM to 2 AM, as follows:

  • DE-72 in South Newark
  • US-13 in North Dover
  • DE-20 in Seaford

If stopped at a checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs that drivers may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers showing signs of impairment may be required to take various sobriety tests, including field sobriety tests (standing on one leg, the walk-and-turn, etc.), blowing into a breathalyzer or submitting to a blood test.

If a driver refuses to take a test ordered by an officer, they may be charged with a crime including aggravated DWI if an officer finds probable cause that a driver is under the influence.

Drug Recognition Experts

Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), law enforcement officers trained in detecting drug-impaired drivers, will be on hand at the checkpoints to identify drivers impaired by illegal and prescription drugs.

Officers will also be strictly enforcing speed limits, seat belt, and child restraint laws, focusing on roadways where crashes tend to be most prevalent, according to data from the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

It is never okay to drive when impaired. This not only means refraining from drunk driving, but also from drug-impaired driving. NHTSA’s 2013/14 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers found that nearly one in four weekend drivers tested positive for at least one drug that could impair their driving skills and their ability to drive safely.

For more information, please visit https://www.arrivealivede.com/Drive-Sober.

You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by clicking on:
Delaware Office of Highway Safety Web Site
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

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About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety

The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com.