Hartsville Police Department (HPD), The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and law enforcement partners statewide announce the kickoff for its Sober or Slammer! campaign beginning today and running through January 1st in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which started on December 16th. Although the holidays may look different this year, troopers are encouraging motorists to make a plan for a safe ride home prior to any holiday celebrations.
The annual Sober or Slammer! Christmas/New Year’s campaign features a continuation of the “Drink. Drive. Die.” message. The original PSA can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrqEdwlLutw and the 2020 sequel ad can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aswk75jHUxQ.
SCHP and local law enforcement agencies will also conduct a series of public safety checkpoints throughout the state during the New Year’s holiday period.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol encourages motorists to take the following steps to ensure a safe ride home:
- Designate a sober driver;
- Use public transportation, such as buses and shuttles;
- Call a local cab or taxi service, or plan ahead for a taxi. (Some local towing services also offer safe ride home and will tow the driver’s car home for a fee).
NHTSA is also doing its part to encourage safe rides and has developed the NHSTA SaferRide app, available for Android and Apple mobile devices. Users can create a profile in the SaferRide app and may use it to call a friend or a local cab service for a ride home.