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You Drink. You Drive. You Lose

The Galena Police Department will be joining other local and state law enforcement agencies across Kansas starting August 20 through Labor Day, September 6, in a crackdown aimed at removing drunk and other impaired drivers from the roadways during *You Drink. You Drive. You Lose. 

It is illegal everywhere to drive while impaired, yet, in 2019, over 10,000 people in the U.S. were killed in drunk driving crashes. Impaired driving fatalities every day are the direct result of decisions people make. Driving after consuming ANY potentially impairing substance is a decision YOU make.

You know that it is wrong and dangerous. You tell yourself you won’t do it again, but you do. It’s time to stop.

Start a new habit, the habit of NOT driving to situations where you will be tempted to drink or partake in other impairing substances. Ask to ride with a non-drinking friend, designate a driver, or use one of the many other options available. Start today.

The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers: 

 “Don’t consume impairing substances and get behind the wheel. Impaired driving is a major cause of crashes and a danger not just to you and those riding with you, but to every single person on the road.

Make it a habit to have a sober driver lined up before you drink alcohol away from home.

We also want to remind everyone to always have your seatbelts on, it’s your best defense in case of a crash.

You can always count on this department to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws, not just during this enforcement campaign but all through the year.” 

2019 Pre-Holiday Season Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

This holiday season, The Galena Police Department will be partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the national Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving awareness campaign to help keep impaired drivers off the road. Help us spread the message!

Are you on Santa’s naughty or nice list? Always designate a sober driver to get you home safely after drinking so you don’t wind up with coal in your stocking — or worse. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Keep track of those eggnogs! Even one drink can be one too many. Plan for a sober driver to get you home safely. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Commit to sober driving this holiday season, and every day. Help us spread the message: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Keep the holidays merry and bright: This holiday season, and every day, stay safe by refusing to drink and drive. Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

If you are buzzed, you are already too drunk to drive home. Even one drink can be one too many if you’re getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

During December 2017, 885 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver. Always remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Keep your cash for your holiday shopping, not for a drunk-driving arrest. A DUI can set you back $10,000 in court costs, lost time at work, car towing, and more. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

In 2017, an average of one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 48 minutes. This holiday, and every day, remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Just like drunk driving, drug-impaired driving is also dangerous and illegal, and it’s an increasing problem on our nation’s roads. Always remember: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

Thanksgiving Safe Arrival

Beginning Monday, November 25, through Sunday, Dec 1, 2019 the Galena Police Department will join many other Law Enforcement Agencies across the state, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Kansas Thanksgiving Safe Arrivaltraffic enforcement campaign.  A grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will underwrite overtime enforcement efforts that specifically aim at removing impaired drivers from our roads and ticketing vehicle occupants who are unrestrained or whose child passengers are unrestrained. 

            According to KDOT, which tracks all crashes in the state, the day before Thanksgiving sees more impairment-related crashes than any other day of the year.  Those driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs endanger not only themselves, but also others they share the road with – such as their passengers, other motorists and their passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians.  On average, across Kansas, three persons are injured every day, and one person is killed every four days in alcohol/drug-related crashes.  And the crashes tend to be more severe.  Vehicle occupants in alcohol- or other drug-related crashes are over 2 ½ times more likely to be injured or killed than those involved in crashes where alcohol or other drugs were not a factor.  

Each week across Kansas, over 250 drivers are arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence).  A DUI conviction will result in jail time, the suspension or revocation of driver’s license, a fine of $500 to $2,500, participation in an alcohol or other drug treatment program and, where alcohol is cited as a contributing factor, the purchase and installation of an ignition interlock device by the offender.  This device requires the offender to blow into a device that measures blood alcohol concentration prior to starting the car.  It’s embarrassing and a hassle.

            Also responsible for needless death and maiming is the failure by many teens and adults to simply buckle up themselves, or to properly buckle up child passengers.  Twice as many Kansans who die from a crash are unrestrained as are restrained.  Even worse is the fact that injuries suffered by those who are unbuckled are likely to be much more severe and disabling than injuries suffered by those who are buckled in.  This applies regardless of speed, and whether the occurrence is on a city street, a county road, or a highway. 

 “Keep in mind that if you are going to be drinking – don’t even consider driving home.  Arrange to ride with a non-drinking acquaintance.  Don’t let pride or concerns for your convenience endanger your life and the lives of innocent others.  Drivers always wear your seatbelt and don’t move the vehicle until each person riding with you is buckled in.  This is your best defense against death and injury, it is their best defense, and it is the law.   You will live with the consequences – good or bad – the rest of your life.  By always following these simple rules, you can preserve life – maybe your life – and certainly your cash.  You can safely arrive.” 

August 15th through September 2, 2019

The Galena Police Department will join 190 other local and state police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing drunk and other drugged drivers from the roadways.  You Drink. You Drive. You Lose., is underwritten by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).

According to Chief Charles, this campaign is intended to remind drivers of several things:

  1. If you are planning on going out to drink, make a designated driver a substantial part of this plan.
  2. Check your medications for any driving/operating warnings. A prescription is for medication; it is not a permission slip to drive.
  3. Think of a family you know – maybe your own – and consider how you would feel if your decision to drink and drive was the cause of serious injury or death.
  4. A DUI arrest can cost you thousands of dollars.
  5. We are asking all citizens on the roadways – drivers and passengers, alike – to watch for suspicious driving behaviors. Note location, a description of the suspect vehicle, and its direction of travel and call 911 as soon as it’s safe to do so.  You may save a life.
  6. You can count on this department to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws – not just during this campaign but throughout the year.
  7. Always remember that the best protection against an impaired driver (even when it’s yourself) is the use of seat belts and appropriate child restraints – every trip, every time. Restraints save lives and reduce injury severity across a wide range of driving mistakes and mishaps.

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