NEWS RELEASE
December 18, 2020
Contact: Drew Pfefferle, Safe Lane Transportation Coalition Coordinator, dpfefferle@lcog.org, 208-404-3607
Safe Lane Transportation Coalition Urges Lane County Drivers to “Get A Ride” This Holiday Season
Eugene, Oregon – In an effort to make our roads safer, the Safe Lane Transportation Coalition and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are encouraging Lane County community members to be responsible and have a plan. If anyone partakes in alcohol or cannabis they should not drive. Instead, they should get a ride this holiday season.
“The holidays should be a season for joy and celebration, not a time for regret and sadness,” said Drew Pfefferle, Safe Lane Transportation Coalition Coordinator. “We need commitment from our community members that they’ll keep the roads free of impaired drivers so that everyone can have a safe Christmas and New Year’s. This campaign promotes the idea that for someone who is impaired, getting a ride for them is the safest, most responsible thing you can do to keep our Lane County communities safe and livable. Help us put an end to this senseless behavior,” he said.
According to NHTSA, 10,511 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2018. During the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods in 2018 alone, there were more drunk-driving-related fatalities (285) than during any other holiday period that year. These fatalities are preventable, and drivers must remember that driving impaired by any substance — alcohol or other drugs — is reckless, illegal, and selfish behavior. This is why the Safe Lane Transportation Coalition is working with NHTSA to remind drivers as they head out to the festivities, remember: Let’s all get a ride this holiday season.
Celebrate the holidays with a plan. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously and do not consume alcohol, not even one drink.
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you have had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver.
- If available, safely use Lane Transit District, a taxi service, or Uber and Lyft for a ride home.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact 800-24DRUNK (800-243-7865).
- If a friend is about to drink and drive, take the keys away and plan to get your friend home safely.
For more information about distracted driving, please visit https://safelanecoalition.org/get-a-ride or contact Drew Pfefferle at dpfefferle@lcog.org.
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About Safe Lane Transportation Coalition
Safe Lane Transportation Coalition, a program of Lane Council of Governments, is comprised of government agencies, public organizations, and community members that are committed to reducing and eliminating severe and fatal crashes in Lane County. Learn more at https://safelanecoalition.org.
About Lane Council of Governments
LCOG’s mission is to coordinate and provide high quality public services in Lane County. Lane Council of Governments is dedicated to serving the public interest and enhancing the quality of life for citizens of Lane County. LCOG serves as a regional planning, coordination, program development, and service delivery organization in local communities across Lane County. Learn more at www.lcog.org.