Montoursville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Lycoming Regional Police Department, the PA DUI Association, Geisinger Jersey Shore, Citizens Hose Company, the Lycoming County Coroner, and other safety partners held a media event today to highlight the dangers of impaired driving through the holiday season.
From Wednesday, November 19 through the end of the year, state and local law enforcement will participate in “Operation Safe Holiday”, the holiday season impaired driving campaign. High visibility enforcement efforts such as roving DUI patrols will be conducted to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities involving an impaired driver. As the night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest drinking days of the year, there is typically a significant increase in impaired driving crashes surrounding the holiday.
According to PennDOT data, during the 2024 holiday travel period beginning the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and running through January 2, 2025, there were 857 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 18 fatalities and 542 suspected serious injuries. During the same time, there were 307 drug-related crashes, resulting in 13 fatalities and 267 suspected serious injuries.
The event featured a “Choose Your Ride” display consisting of a ride-sharing service vehicle, a police car, an ambulance, a coroner’s vehicle, and a hearse, reminding motorists about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. The image of the Choose Your Ride display will be featured on social media and printed on posters to be distributed locally throughout the upcoming holiday season.
“The Lycoming County DUI Task Force is committed to ensuring our roads are safe this holiday season and remind everyone Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
DUI task force officers are specifically looking for drivers who show signs of impairment, whether from alcohol or drugs. Enforcement is critical, but the main goal is prevention. The DUI task force aims to deter impaired driving while patrolling day and night. The goal to serve as a constant reminder to make the right choice, choose your ride, ensure everyone makes it home safely this holiday season,” said Lycoming Regional Police Chief Chris Kriner at the event.
PennDOT reminds motorists that impaired driving crashes are 100 percent preventable and asks drivers to keep themselves, their families, and other motorists safe by designating a sober driver or not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
For more information, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: Maggie Baker or Kim Smith, ra-pdd03crc@pa.gov
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