With holiday season arriving, county officials and police warn against impaired driving

With Thanksgiving days away, Delaware County law enforcement officials gathered last week on the steps of the county courthouse to remind motorists not to drink and drive.

“With more than 73 million Americans projected to be on the roadways during the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, those choosing to drive impaired are not only endangering themselves, but millions of others as well,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic Manager of Public and Government Affairs Jana Tidwell. “It’s never OK to get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you are buzzed, drunk or otherwise impaired.”

According to PennDOT 2024 data, there were seven fatalities and 431 crashes in the Philadelphia region during the 2024 Thanksgiving travel period. Of those, 38 crashes and three fatalities were impaired-driving related.

“The holiday season sees the highest impaired  fatalities of the year … and the night before Thanksgiving is one of the heaviest drinking nights of the year, and has a huge impact for the spike of DUI crashes and arrests the state police and local partners make,” said State Trooper Jessica Tobin.

Tobin said the state police will have a zero-tolerance approach and are asking to spread safe driving alternatives to loved ones. She said that includes organizing ride programs, simply having an open conversation to show that impaired driving is completely unacceptable.

“Buckling up takes less than three seconds and is the most effective way to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a vehicle crash,” said Tobin. “We want everyone to arrive safely at their Thanksgiving dinners and holiday gatherings, and wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest ways to help ensure a safe arrival.”

Throughout the Thanksgiving holiday period, law enforcement will conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and regular traffic safety patrols. They started Wednesday, Nov. 19 and eventually will continue through the New Year’s holiday to crack down on drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Tobin said that along with alcohol and marijuana, various other drugs can affect a driver’s coordination, judgment, and reaction times. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause severe drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects.

Motorists should read and follow all warning labels carefully, especially those that advise against “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a vehicle.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said in 2023 county law enforcement charged 1,300 people with DUI, the second highest category of crimes charged in the county.

“The good news is that’s 30 percent less than we charged for DUI 10 years earlier. The bad news is that should be zero,” Stollsteimer said. “There is literally no reason, this is the most preventable crime. None of those 1,300 people intended to commit a crime the night they went out with family and friends and took the criminal step of getting behind the wheel.”

He said residents need to rely on a designated driver, SEPTA, ride services, anything other than driving under the influence.

“If you don’t, you are putting your life at risk, your career, your criminal history at risk, your family’s life at risk, and you are putting these officers’ lives at risk as well. They are out there on the street trying to protect you.”

Stollsteimer recalled that it was just three years ago that troopers Martin Mack and Branden Sisca were killed by a drunk driver on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, and how dangerous it is for law enforcement on the highway.

“Let’s take care of each other. Let’s all slow down during this holiday season. Let’s not drive drunk,” he said.

Stollsteimer said law enforcement will be out and will hold those accountable if they make the mistake of drinking too much and getting behind the wheel.

PennDOT’s Operation Safe Holiday began on Nov. 10 with the Click It or Ticket Thanksgiving enforcement mobilization and will continue until Nov. 30.

In Pennsylvania, all passengers under 18 are required by law to wear seat belts while traveling in a vehicle.

Additionally, drivers and front-seat passengers must also buckle up. Children under 2 years old must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. Children under 4 years old must be restrained in an approved child safety seat, and children must use a booster seat until they turn 8 years old.

“Let’s make this holiday season a time of joy, and not sorrow. If you plan to drink, plan ahead. Arrange for a designated driver, take SEPTA, or use a rideshare service,” said Media Borough Police Chief John McCormick.

“They stay with the officers who knock on the doors later at night. They stay with the dispatchers who take the calls, and they stay with the loved ones who get the news no one ever wants to hear,” McCormick said. “We’re asking everyone to make a plan before you celebrate, if you drink, don’t drive.”

He also urged if you see someone who is impaired to speak up.

Officials offered these tips to get home safely:

• Plan for a sober ride home, and if you need to, designate someone to hold you accountable.

• If you choose to drink, don’t drive impaired. Call a sober friend, rideshare, or taxi, or take public transportation to get home safely.

• If you’re hosting and see someone about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them get home safely.

Tracy Barusevicius, Delaware County Transportation Management Association executive director, said there are a wealth of opportunities to get home from the family dinner safely without drinking and driving.

“Let’s first consider the designated driver, the hero of your mobility, that person who commits to sobriety and getting the passengers to and from the holiday party, is definitely a conversation to have prior to the group outing.”

She said there are service organizations that offer ride programs along with Uber and Lyft.

“A $50 Uber ride is much cheaper than a $10,000 DUI,” she said.

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