Don’t Be A Statistic: Designate a Sober Driver for St. Patrick’s Weekend

High Visibility Enforcement Against Impaired Driving Scheduled for
March 1
1-21 in Maryland and Delaware Along US 13 and US 113

DOVER, DE (March 12, 2021) – This year St. Patrick’s Day may look a little different as Delaware continues to stress social distancing and COVID-19 precautions. But for those planning to celebrate with family and friends, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office, and local law enforcement want to make sure they stay safe by driving sober or making a plan for a sober ride home.

For the fourth year, more than 20 transportation and law enforcement agencies from Delaware and Maryland will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints along the 145 miles of US 13 (Ocean Highway) and nearly 75 miles of US 113 (Worcester Highway) on the Delmarva Peninsula beginning Thursday, March 11, and continuing through Sunday, March 21. St. Patrick’s Day is Wednesday, March 17.

In Delaware, the Office of Highway Safety (OHS) will also partner with additional agencies statewide for this year’s high visibility enforcement focused along the US 13 corridor. Last year during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, a total of 102 arrests for impaired driving were made statewide in Delaware.

Coinciding with high-visibility enforcement efforts, Delaware’s Office of Highway Safety will share the Be Driven Not to Drive campaign through a variety of platforms throughout the state including billboards, English and Spanish print media, social media platforms, music streaming services, and television/online streaming services. The campaign combines visible tactics with a publicity strategy to educate the public and promote safe driving behaviors in compliance with the law. de visualizer crash data mapping tool photo

“Partnering with Maryland allows our efforts to be amplified as we combat impaired driving during this holiday period,” said Delaware OHS Deputy Director Richard Klepner. “OHS will partner with law enforcement throughout Delaware with increased visibility and presence on our roadways. There’s no excuse to drink and drive. Even one can be too many. Plan ahead to have a sober ride.”

In anticipation of the St. Patrick’s Day DUI enforcement and campaign initiatives, OHS has launched a first-of-its-kind digital tool called the Arrive Alive DE Visualizer DUI-Involved Crash Tool to share information with Delawareans and visitors on crash locations and educate website visitors to drive sober. Housed on the Arrive Alive DE website, this 5-year snapshot of DUI-involved crashes shows the concentration of crashes across the state through an interactive heat map.

In addition to the Arrive Alive DE Visualizer DUI-Involved Crash Tool, OHS has launched other versions of the digital tool for occupant protection and pedestrian safety. The Arrive Alive DE Visualizer is designed to educate drivers and pedestrians to help save lives in Delaware and Arrive Alive to their destination. Visit ArriveAliveDE.com to explore this digital tool and more on highway safety education in Delaware.

“Impaired driving is never the right choice so if you do plan to go out, be sure to plan ahead for a sober ride home,” said MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Larry Hogan’s Highway Safety Representative. “Every year, families lose loved ones to impaired driving crashes. It’s up to each of us to prevent these tragedies from occurring.”

In 2019, 535 people were killed on Maryland’s roadways and one-third of those deaths involved someone impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. During last year’s enforcement effort, participating agencies issued 703 citations in Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester counties – including 205 for speeding – and made 18 arrests for impaired driving.

To coincide with the high visibility enforcement, the MDOT MVA’s Highway Safety Office will also share Be the Make A Plan Driver and Be the Sober Driver messages on a variety of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Maryland plan ahead for a sober driver highway safety campaign

Maryland designate a sober driver highway safety campaign

 

Additional information on Maryland’s Be the Driver campaign can be found here.

More information on Delaware’s Be Driven Not to Drive campaign is available here.

 

 

 

Office of Highway Safety Logo

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. Follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety on ArriveAliveDE.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration Logo

 

About the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office 

Learn more about the MDOT MVA’s Highway Safety Office at ZeroDeathsMD.gov or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ZeroDeathsMD.

CONTACT:

Cynthia Cavett, Delaware Office of Highway Safety, Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov

Whitney Nichels, MDOT MVA, wnichels@mdot.maryland.gov


Safe Family Holiday 2019 DUI Checkpoint Results

Three drivers arrested for driving while impaired and nine individuals arrested on drug-related charges

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

Dover, Del. (December 16, 2019) – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety coordinated DUI checkpoints in each county statewide this past weekend as part of the Safe Family Holiday DUI enforcement campaign, and the results are in. Three individuals were arrested for driving while impaired, and one person was apprehended on an outstanding warrant. Nine individuals were arrested on drug-related charges, and 18 drivers were detained for further investigation. In addition, 38 drivers were cited for other traffic arrests including four drivers for driving without being buckled up.

A total of 60 officers from the Delaware State Police and local law enforcement agencies manned the three checkpoints and saw a total of 2,522 cars pass-through.

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on crash statistics and frequency of DUI arrests

“OHS will continue Safe Family Holiday DUI Patrols throughout December and the New Year in our ongoing commitment to removing impaired drivers off of our streets and highways, ultimately lowering the risk for deaths and injuries due to driving while intoxicated from drugs or alcohol,” – Richard Klepner, Deputy Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. 

To date, there have been 4,015 DUI arrests throughout the state of Delaware since January 1st and *24 confirmed DUI fatal crashes.

The Office of Highway Safety is grateful to the Delaware State Police, local law enforcement agencies, and safety partners who manned the Safe Family Holiday DUI checkpoints. Operation Checkpoint Strikeforce is a collaborate enforcement and campaign throughout the year that is made possible through the cooperative efforts with our safety partners.

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

*(Please note: this number is not final as there are crashes still under investigation for impairment).


Thanksgiving 2019 DUI Checkpoint Results

The statewide Thanksgiving 2019 DUI Checkpoint was a success

Dover, Del. (December 2, 2019)The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) coordinated DUI checkpoints on Thanksgiving Eve in each county statewide on November 27, from 10 PM to November 28, at 2 AM the following morning.

Checkpoint Results

Working together with the Delaware State Police and local law enforcement, OHS supported three DUI checkpoints across the state. A total of 65 officers worked 390 hours combined and saw 1,463 vehicles come through the checkpoints.

OHS is pleased to report that Thanksgiving 2019 DUI Checkpoint Strikeforce was a success. In Delaware, officers made 6 DUI arrests and netted an additional 58 traffic arrests or citations for various infractions, including 6 seatbelt assessments, 7 drug arrests and the apprehension of 1 wanted person.

“It is our goal to remove impaired drivers from Delaware roadways and prevent tragedies during this holiday season. OHS would like to thank Delaware State Police, the many local law enforcement agencies, as well as other safety partners like DelDOT for their participation with this activation of Checkpoint Strikeforce. Their continued commitment empowers our efforts during this most dangerous time of year,”Richard Klepner, Deputy Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

Upcoming Checkpoint Strikeforce

OHS will coordinate the next Checkpoint Strikeforce effort on December 14, 2019. Three DUI checkpoints will occur statewide, as well as DUI patrols, 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
LinkedIn

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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 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.


Office of Highway Safety Reactivates Grassroots Initiative to Promote Pedestrian Safety Month in October

Cooperative statewide effort to reduce pedestrian

deaths and encourage safe walking habits

WILMINGTON, Del. (October 14, 2019) – In honor of Pedestrian Safety Month to meaningfully reduce pedestrian deaths across the state, Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is bringing back its grassroots pedestrian safety initiative statewide. From Monday, October 7 through Sunday, October 20, pedestrian street teams will be deployed on DART buses throughout the state with routes that travel corridors with higher occurrences of pedestrian crashes and fatalities. These street teams will educate Delawareans on safe walking habits and hand out reflectors for use.

“Data continues to show that October is the deadliest month related to crashes occurring in Delaware, with the highest occurrences of pedestrian fatalities and injuries. In addition, pedestrian crashes peak around evening rush hour from 5 to 8 p.m. This is precisely why we have decided to bring back our grassroots initiative to stress the importance of safe walking habits especially during this time frame,” said Kimberly Chesser, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “We would like to thank DART for partnering with us on such an important initiative, helping to make sure that our riders and pedestrians Walk Smart.”

Common factors in pedestrian crashes involve individuals being under the influence, distracted walking, wearing dark-colored clothing, and crossing outside of crosswalks on busy roads like Kirkwood Highway (Rt 2), DuPont Highway (US 13), and Pulaski Highway (US 40).

“OHS will continue to do its part to promote that pedestrians Walk Smart, and hope each person helps us spread our message to ensure that pedestrians arrive safely,” said Richard Klepner, Deputy Director and Pedestrian Safety Coordinator, Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

For more information, please visit ohs.delaware.gov, or visit us on Facebook (@HighwaysafetyDE), Twitter (@HighwaysafetyDE) and Instagram (HighwaysafetyDE).

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DE OHS logo

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.


Delaware Office of Highway Safety Brings Back 4th of July SoberLift Program for Second Consecutive Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist & Public Information Officer

Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov

302-744-2743

DUI Initiative Running From July 3rd Through July 7th

DOVER, De. (July 1, 2019) – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is pleased to announce that it is reactivating its SoberLift program, in partnership with Lyft®, for the second consecutive year over the Fourth of July holiday to Delaware’s beach resort community.

The program will begin on Wednesday, July 3, at 4 p.m. and run through Sunday, July 7, at 2 a.m., and will provide free Lyft® vouchers* (maximum value of $15) for individuals who want a safe ride during that time period. To participate in the program, individuals need to text “SoberLift” to 99000 to redeem the discount code. It will be available in Delaware beach towns: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, South Bethany Beach, and Fenwick Island.

“Delaware continues to see far too many tragedies caused by impaired driving especially at the beaches during the July 4th holiday weekend, “Richard Klepner, Impaired Driving Program Manager, Office of Highway Safety. “It is critical for people to understand the negative consequences of driving under the influence, and we’re thankful to our partners for providing funding to allow Delawareans to plan ahead for a safe ride home.”

Throughout the state from 2014 to 2018, 4th of July weekend saw 53 DUI-related crashes and five DUI-related fatalities. Reports indicate that DUI crashes occur between 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Delaware beaches. This region – east of DE-1 between Dewey Beach, northern limits and Old Mill Pond Bridge – also lead the state with 46 DUI-related crashes in 2018.

Street teams will be present ahead of the holiday weekend, handing out vouchers for SoberLift codes, as well as promoting the program at local bars, restaurants, and other local businesses. Campaign sponsors include: Breakthru Beverage DE, Allstate, 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, Grain, Liquid Alchemy Brewing, Aloysius Butler & Clark (AB&C) and Deardorff.

Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist and Public Information Officer for OHS adds, “We’ve said it before and we will say it again, just one impaired driver can negatively impact the lives of so many people. So while we encourage all Delawareans to have fun, make sure you make safe choices. Utilize our ridesharing program SoberLift, and Arrive Alive this holiday weekend.”

In addition, OHS is partnering with the Delaware State Police and local law enforcement for the national summer holiday campaign for Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over from July 4 – July 7, 2019, to put an end to drunk driving. In support of law enforcement’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see increased enforcement on the roads with zero tolerance for those who drive impaired.

*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

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.