FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2025
Contact Person: Sergeant Jeremy Burns
805-473-5100; [email protected]
Plan to Keep the Holidays Bright with Safe Drives
Choose a sober way to go
Arroyo Grande, Calif. – As the holiday season approaches, the Arroyo Grande Police Department reminds drivers to celebrate responsibly by choosing a sober way to go by using a designated driver, public transit or calling a taxi or rideshare service to get to and from your destination safely. Every day, about 34 people in the United States are killed in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 42 minutes.
During the pre-holiday season, Dec. 1-9, Arroyo Grande Police will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
"Our priority is keeping the community safe this holiday season," said Sergeant Jeremy Burns said. "If you’re heading out to celebrate, don’t risk it. Plan ahead for a safe drive with a designated driver or by arranging alternative transportation."
Drunk driving continues to be a factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holidays. During the 2019-2023 December months, there were 4,931 people killed in alcohol-impaired crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In California, 1,355 people died in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes in 2023.
While drunk driving is a significant traffic safety problem, driving while impaired is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products and other drugs may also impair. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
