Our Opinion: The gift of making sober choices

News Tribune editorial

Law enforcement officials have announced saturation patrols will continue through New Year's Day.

If you're driving while saturated with alcohol, or anything above the legal .08 blood alcohol content, prepare for the consequences.

No Christmas list includes these items: auto body work; higher insurance rates; lawyer's fees; criminal fines; injuries; death.

And no sober motorist deserves to face similar mayhem because they were victimized by a drunk driver.

Saturation patrols increase the presence of law enforcement officers on the roadways because increases in drunk driving surround holiday festivities.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, 207 traffic crashes occurred during last year's Christmas holiday counting period. Those crashes caused one death and 79 injuries.

"Last year, a traffic crash occurred every 8.7 minutes over the Christmas holiday," said Col. Ron Replogle, patrol superintendent. "Please wear your seat belt, obey Missouri's traffic laws, and if you include alcohol in your celebrations, please don't drive."

Alternatives exist. In addition to arranging for a designated driver, a Sober Driver program is offered by Jefferson City police and Fechtel Beverage. The program provides free taxi rides to people who have exceeded the legal limit to drive or to passengers who choose not to ride with an impaired driver.

The free taxi rides can be arranged from drinking establishments by calling 636-7102. Hosts of private parties also can make arrangements, in advance, by contacting Police Sgt. Doug Ruediger, 634-6397, or Fechtel Beverage, 636-5161.

No driver sets out to spend Christmas money on fines or to spend the holidays in a jail, hospital or funeral home.

Sadly, those are among the consequences when impaired drivers get behind the wheel.

No one, including law enforcement, wants to spoil holiday fun. But no one wants a drunk driver to ruin the holiday for others.

This holiday season, making sober, responsible choices is a gift everyone will appreciate.