You can be a "Life Saver"

Last year, nearly 17,000 people across the U.S. died in alcohol related traffic collisions. That's one person every 31 minutes. That's 46 people each and every day. That's equivalent to two passenger jets, each carrying 162 people, crashing each week.

Imagine the public outrage if two jumbo jets were falling from the sky each week. Yet we continue to allow this loss of life at the hands of impaired drivers.

There are few things more gratifying to a police officer, than removing an impaired driver from our roadways. Officers look at these arrests as potentially "live saving" acts.

In 2005, Livermore Police officers arrested 936 impaired drivers. This year we are on a pace to arrest well over 1,000. These arrest statistics are impressive, but they are still not enough. Law enforcement needs your help in putting an end to drunk driving.

The Livermore Police Department encourages you to help us put an end to this tragic loss of life. Please read the following tips and you too can become a "life saver".

• The fight against DUI starts with each and every one of us. "Don't Drink and Drive." Don't make the mistake that so many people make by trying to guess if you've had too much to drink. If you plan on drinking any alcohol, make other travel arrangements. A "designated driver" is the person who hasn't consumed any alcohol, not the person who drank the least.

• Provide help and support to family members and friends who you suspect may have a problem with alcohol or drug abuse. There are many counseling/support groups and organizations available to assist them. Most people with dependency problems are looking for help. They just need that initial push from someone who cares about them. If you can't stop them from driving, call the police and report them. You would rather see them arrested and forced to get help, than see them killed or arrested for killing an innocent person.

• Report suspected drunk drivers. Keep your cell phone with you and call the local law enforcement agency to report erratic and unsafe driving. Program the telephone number of your local police dispatch center into your cell phone (Livermore P.D. dispatch - 925-371-4987). If your on the freeway call 911 for the C.H.P. If possible follow the suspected drunk driver at a safe distance and provide the dispatcher with as much information as possible. Do not pursue the vehicle or drive in an unsafe manner in an attempt to keep the vehicle in sight.

• Report drunk drivers before they get in their car. If you see someone you suspect is under the influence of alcohol or drugs report them to the police before they drive. It may be as obvious as seeing someone staggering in the parking lot of a drinking establishment; or while standing in line at the grocery store you notice the person in front of you appears to be under the influence. Don't confront these people, follow them and call the police.

Together we can work as a community to eliminate the loss of life, permanent disabilities and the astronomical costs absorbed by all of us due to the impaired driver.

You too can become a "Life Saver".

For more information contact:

Officer Wes Morgan - Livermore P.D.
(925) 371-4855
wmorgan@ci.livermore.ca.us