The holidays have arrived, and with them comes more travel than usual as people fill their calendars with shopping trips, parties, out-of-town family visits and vacations. For those who plan to celebrate, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to remind you to designate a sober driver or arrange for a cab to avoid driving impaired this holiday season.

Statewide, law enforcement will be on the lookout for impaired drivers with targeted enforcement efforts Dec. 15 through Jan. 1. Special enforcement operations are planned in local areas Thanksgiving weekend.

There were 86 deaths and 426 serious injuries due to crashes in Missouri during the last holiday season – that means 512 families’ holidays were forever changed.

“We encourage all Missouri motorists to plan ahead – a safe and sober ride home means a safe and happy holiday season for everyone,” says Bill Whitfield, executive chair of the coalition.

Consider some of the consequences you may face should you choose to drive impaired:
· If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated, you can be charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of prison time, a $5,000 fine or both.
· Your license can be suspended for 90 days on your first conviction. You could be fined up to $500 and spend up to 6 months in jail.
· Minors may additionally be subject to a Minor in Possession citation resulting in license suspension for 90 days for first offense. This is in addition to any suspension resulting from point assessment on an alcohol conviction.
· Insurance coverage will be difficult to find and your rates will be significantly higher.

To learn more, visit savemolives.com, or find them on social media at Save MO Lives, #DriveSoberMO.