For Immediate Release:
December 23, 2019

Contact:
Tim Weisberg
OTS Marketing and Public Affairs
timothy.weisberg@ots.ca.gov
(916) 509-3020

The OTS Reminds Public to Enjoy Holiday Season Responsibly

Statewide Education, Enforcement Efforts Focus on Taking Sober Ride Home

Elk Grove, Calif. – The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) wants people to make smart choices this holiday season and start the new year off right by choosing a sober way to get around.

The holidays are a time when many people will be hosting or attending holiday and New Year’s Eve parties where alcohol may be involved. It is why the OTS is encouraging people to plan ahead and use a designated sober driver, ride-share or public transportation.

“Driving impaired is a choice that is 100 percent avoidable with the help of a sober driver or public transportation,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “Whether you’re out and about or celebrating this holiday season, we urge you to be responsible and choose a safe way to get home.”

If you are hosting parties, be sure to offer non-alcoholic drinks, monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home. If someone who is impaired tries to drive home, offer to give them a ride with a sober driver or have them stay the night.

The OTS is working with law enforcement agencies across the state to discourage impaired driving by dedicating additional officers on patrol through New Year’s specifically looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs

The OTS also received a $20,000 grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to provide sober rides to new and existing Lyft riders. The $10 ride credits can be used Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego service areas.

The credit codes will be released on Facebook and Instagram with messages empowering people to get a safe ride home with a sober driver.

“Go Safely, California” is the OTS public awareness and education campaign aimed at providing Californians with resources on how to stay safe on the go. To learn more about the campaign, visit gosafelyca.org.

The OTS administers funding for traffic safety programs statewide with the goal of reducing crashes that result in deaths, injuries, and economic losses. The OTS is a department under the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).

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